Gaston College sets history with first beach volleyball victory

Gaston College made program history on Friday in a four-team tournament at Bryant & Stratton College in Virginia Beach, Va.

The Rhinos won their first dual match in history with a 4-1 victory over Wake Tech in Friday's opener, then lost 0-5 against four-year school and defending NCAA Division III champion Stevenson in the nightcap.

"We are excited and encouraged by our first win and hungry for more," Gaston College coach Rachel Noreika said. "The team is looking forward to meeting back to back conference opponents tomorrow in Richard Bland and Bryant & Stratton, who both have really solid teams."

The teams of Emma Downey and Cristina Rotola, Naomi Hilliard and Elizabeth Jones and Carli Phillips and Bianca Bowland won in two sets, the team of Millea Styles and Kristy Seifert won in three sets and the team of Leilani Nolasco and Cameryn Reavis lost in two sets in the historic victory.

Gaston College plays Richard Bland at 9 a.m. on Saturday and meets host Bryant & Stratton at noon on Saturday.