Statesmen Drop Two in First Day of Pool Play, Look Ahead to Day Two at NJCAA National Championship
SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA — The Richard Bland College Beach Volleyball team opened play at the NJCAA Beach Volleyball National Championship on Thursday, competing in day one of pool play against some of the nation's top programs.
Entering the tournament as the No. 4 seed, the Statesmen carried momentum from their Region 10 Championship run into Huntsville and put together a competitive opening day on the national stage. RBC battled through tightly contested matchups throughout the day, against No. 7 Central Wyoming College and No. 3 Mesa Community College. The top and third flights continued to lead the charge, setting the tone with strong performances against high-level competition.
Day one results place the Statesmen in the mix heading into the final day of pool play on Friday, May 1st, where seeding for the championship bracket will be determined after all pool play matches are complete.
Final match scores are below:
Match 1: Richard Bland vs. Central Wyoming College: The Rustlers won 1-3.
Pair 1: Taelin Connolley and Daniela Sardina vs Coco Denison and Ella Svensson 21-15, 21-14.
Pair 2: Gabrielle Meador and Rachel Pickens vs Hallie Reeder-Johnson and Laina Whitney 17-21, 16-21.
Pair 3: Rachelle Martin and Clara Coles vs Presley Ryan and Emily Van Ginkel 21-14, did not finish due to match decision occurring first.
Pair 4: Aliyah Millner and Kaylie Klemm vs Brynlee Birch and Quincey Mathews 15-21, 15-21.
Pair 5: Richard Bland College forfeit.
Match 2: Richard Bland vs. Mesa Community College: The Thunderbirds won 0-3.
Pair 1: Taelin Connolley and Daniela Sardina vs Isa Folau and Paige Thompson 21-17, did not finish due to match decision occurring first.
Pair 2: Gabrielle Meador and Rachel Pickens vs Brianna Anderson and Marley Avechuco 13-21, 9-21.
Pair 3: Rachelle Martin and Clara Coles vs 21-19, did not finish due to match decision occurring first.
Pair 4: Aliyah Millner and Kaylie Klemm vs Emma Hildwine and Karma James 11-21, 16-21.
Pair 5: Richard Bland College forfeit.
Richard Bland next competes tomorrow against Region 10 foe, Sandhills Community College at 2:30pm ET/1:30pm CT, and Lake Sumter State College at 5pm ET/4pm CT in the final dual of pool play, prior to re-seeding.
After the re-seed, the top four teams will compete in a four-team championship bracket, with the remaining three seeds competing in a consolation bracket, which will begin it's first game tomorrow evening, at 6:15pm ET/5:15pm CT.
For the full schedule and updates throughout the season, visit https://www.rbcathletics.com/sports/beachvball/2025-26/schedule or follow @richard_bland_volleyball on social media.