MACON, Ga. – The EKU beach volleyball team suffered a pair of 3-2 defeats on day one at the Bears Beach Bash.

The Colonels battled back from a 2-0 deficit in the morning against North Alabama with Sarah Mitchell and Rachel Mueller's 21-17, 21-16 win on court three, but the Lions followed with a win at No. 1 to clinch the match. Chloe Mason and Bailey Rima ended the match with a 21-10, 21-19 victory at the No. 5 flight.

Against host Mercer,  EKU fell behind 3-0 before Hannah Keating and Shannon Stone earned their 11th win in their last 12 outings, prevailing 21-17, 21-11 at the No. 1 spot. Mitchell and Mueller continued their unbeaten day with a 21-23, 11-21, 15-12 victory.

EKU faces UNC Wilmington on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. before concluding the weekend with a rematch against North Alabama at 3:00 p.m.
 

UNA 3, EKU 2

1. Paula Klemperer/Taylor Seney (UNA) def. Hannah Keating/Shannon Stone (EKU), 21-11, 21-15
2. Katy Floyd/Mackenzie Martin (UNA) def. Maddy Campbell/Paityn Walker (EKU), 21-17, 21-11
3. Sarah Mitchell/Rachel Mueller (EKU) def. Martha McLaurin/Selma Robinson (UNA), 21-17 21-16
4. Jelena Girod/Natalie Kordt (UNA) def. EK Lonergan/Bella Williams(EKU), 21-11, 21-11
5. Chloe Mason/Bailey Rima (EKU) def. Kati Anderson/Sarah Lewis (UNA), 21-10, 21-19

Mercer 3, EKU 2

1. Hannah Keating/Shannon Stone (EKU) def. Jordan Paddock/Lexi Polychrones (Mercer), 21-17, 21-11
2. Kate Hardie/Nicole O'Mara (Mercer) def. Maddy Campbell/Paityn Walker (EKU), 23-21, 21-19
3. Sarah Mitchell/Rachel Mueller (EKU) def. Sydney Benson/Jordan Morris (Mercer), 21-13, 11-21, 15-12
4. Kathryn Corbett/Alyssa Scoggins (Mercer) def. EK Lonergan/Bella Williams(EKU), 21-17, 21-18
5. Hollis Engel/Reese Hood (Mercer) def. Chloe Mason/Bailey Rima (EKU), 21-18, 21-15