Beach Volleyball Season in Review

The first year of beach volleyball at Chaminade University could be considered a success, ending the season with a 7-9 mark.
 
All seven wins came against fellow rookie program Hawai'i Pacific University while the rest of the Silverswords' slate were against more experienced programs who are on the Division I level. However the team was competitive against the likes of Nebraska, Grand Canyon, Saint Mary's and the University of Hawai'i (beach volleyball is not separated into divisions on the NCAA level).
 
The 'Swords managed to take a game against the Cornhuskers in March and two from the University of Portland in April.
 
Elli Tsukano (Austin, Texas/James Bowie), who played on the indoor squad, had the most individual success, finishing with an 8-7 record, 13 with partner Sophie Schilling (Berlin, Germany/Alaska/Schul- and Leistungsportszentrum Berlin HS). The duo won six flights as a team including the only two wins against Division I foes. Tsukano also had two victories towards the end of the season with Malena Mihalik (Santa Fe, Argentina/San Eugenio), who joined the program in January.
 
Leilani Ama (Spokane, Wash./Mt. Spokane) and Grace Talpash (Temecula, Calif./University of Oklahoma/Great Oak HS) were playing partners for all 16 matches with the duo winning seven matches. Kanoelehua Misipeka (Pago Pago, American Samoa/Liberty North (Kan.) also had seven wins on the season.
 
DeLaney Poling (Gilbert, Ariz./Park Univ./Perry HS) followed with five victories.
 
With the inaugural season in the books, the 'Swords will look for more steadied improvement in the future with the hopes of replicating the success of their indoor program.