The South Carolina beach volleyball team believes it’s in a better position for its second go-round to the NCAA tournament and hopes that results in a longer stay.
The sixth-seeded Gamecocks take on third-seeded Hawaii on Friday in the first round of the double-elimination tournament in Muscle Shoals, Ala. This is the second tournament for the Gamecocks, who began the program in 2014. USC went two and out last season, losing to eventual national champion Southern Cal and Florida State.
“Last year might have been more happy-go-lucky,” USC beach volleyball coach Moritz Mortiz said. “We knew we were competitive and a good team and worthy of an NCAA tournament bid.