RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University beach volleyball team will begin its 2024 season this Friday and Saturday at the Grand Sands Tournament in Loveland, Ohio.
 
The Colonels will play four matches across the two days at the indoor facility against Liberty, Morehead State, Tusculum, and Austin Peay.
 
Leading the way for EKU is junior Paityn Walker who went 5-1 individually last season from the No. 1 spot, the best record of returning players on the team.
 
SCOUTING THE FLAMES
 
EKU went 3-0 against the Flames last season, sweeping all three matches, 5-0.
 
The team features 10 returners, including six seniors or graduate students.
 
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
 
Friday marks the beginning of the head coach Sarah Martin's first Spring in charge of the Eagles after spending six seasons on the staff.
 
As a team, the Eagles were selected to finish third in the OVC preseason poll, after a 14-13, 2023 season that saw them finish second at the conference tournament.
 
MSU is led by OVC preseason all-conference selection Sydney Wyman.
 
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
 
Grand Sands will be the second outing for Tusculum this Spring, after winning two matches at the Truett McConnell Tri-Match last Saturday.
 
The Pioneers defeated host Truett McConnell and Berry College, 4-1 in both matches.
 
Head coach Jason Morris enters his fourth season as the program's winningest head coach with a record of 42-34.
 
TU's roster features 17 total returners, three freshmen, and three transfers.
 
SCOUTING THE GOVS

Austin Peay enters 2024 under the leadership of interim head coach Ginny Busse and look to follow up a 2023 season where the team went 17-12, while going 2-2 against the Colonels.
 
The Govs second win against EKU came at the ASUN Conference Championship by a score of 3-2 that eliminated the Colonels.
 
UP NEXT
 
Following the Grand Sands Tournament, the Colonels will head to Birmingham, Ala.  for the UAB Beach Classic beginning on March 2.