The Wayne State beach volleyball team won a thrilling match over Tusculum University of Tennessee Thursday morning 3-2 to open pool play at the AVCA Small College Beach Volleyball Championships in Gulf Shores, Alabama.  It's the first time in five years competing at the event that the Wildcats were victorious in a pool play match and and secures the 14-2 Wildcats a spot in Silver bracket of the event, another first for the Wildcat beach volleyball program.
            Three of the five matches either went all three sets or extra points.
            The match was decided by the 5's pairing as Brooke Peltz and Rhianna Wilhelm captured a nail-biting 21-13, 13-21, 16-14 win to give the 'Cats the third and decisive pairings win. 
            Other Wildcat wins came from the 4's duo of Reese Johnson and Ella Myler, who went extra points to edge Tusculum's Kyla Oppenhuis and Landry Tea 21-16, 22-20. 
            Wayne State's #2 pairing of Chloe Hanel and Channatee Robles earned the other Wildcat victory with a 21-18, 21-15 win.
            The Wildcats face #1 seed Concordia-Irvine Thursday afternoon to close out pool play on the opening day of the AVCA Small College Beach Championships. 
 
 
Beach Volleyball Match Results
Tusculum vs Wayne State (Neb.)
Apr 17, 2025 at Gulf Shores, Ala.
(Gulf Shores Beach)
 
Wayne State (Neb.) 3, Tusculum 2
 
Doubles competition
1. Hannah Marsh/Brynn Smith (TU) def. Taylor Bunjer/Ava Spies (WSC) 21-9, 22-20
2. Chloe Hanel/Channatee Robles (WSC) def. Mia Johnson/Kassidy Mercado (TU) 21-18, 21-15
3. Ryann Gallagher/Morgan Willis (TU) def. Brooklyn Kusler/Molly Romano (WSC) 21-10, 21-18
4. Reese Johnson/Ella Myler (WSC) def. Kyla Oppenhuis/Landry Tea (TU) 21-16, 22-20
5. Brooke Peltz/Rhianna Wilhelm (WSC) def. Nyah Goss/Katie Murphy (TU) 21-13, 13-21, 16-14
 
Match Notes:
Tusculum 11-15
Wayne State (Neb.) 14-2
AVCA Championships - Pool Play
#12 vs. #13