Sandy Chants make program history

The Coastal Carolina University beach volleyball team was ranked for the first time in program history at No. 19 in the collegebeachvb.com poll.

Additionally, the Chanticleers were ranked at No. 20 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Collegiate Beach Coaches Top 20 Poll. This first-time accomplishment followed two wins against nationally ranked-teams during the Seminole Beach Bash.

Sophomore Raychel Ehlers said the team is excited about being ranked but knows there are still a lot of games to be played.

“We know we have to keep working hard because other teams are going to want to bat us even more now that we are ranked,” Ehlers said.

The Chants started 0-2 on the weekend after falling to No. 2 Florida State University and No. 16 Florida International University. Coastal quickly turned it around on the second day by defeating No. 13 Cal Poly, the first win against a ranked opponent in program history.

In the second match of the day, the Chants took down No. 20 Washington. Ehlers and Senior Madison Allred sealed the victory on court No. 4 making the final score of the match 3-2.

Ehlers said it is great to play against ranked opponents, and it was special to be the deciding factor against Washington.

“It was extra special to be the pair that won the match to clench the dual against Washington,” Ehlers said. “I give all the glory to God for giving me the ability to play this sport and compete against high-level teams.”

Following the big wins and being nationally ranked, the team still has more goals they want to achieve.

“The goals for the rest of our season are to keep our rank in the top 20 and keep moving up,” Ehlers said. “Also, we want to win the conferences this year.”

The team’s first home matches of the season will be played March 18-19.