LOVELAND, Ohio, - The Eastern Kentucky University beach volleyball team opened its 2024 Spring season on Friday with a pair of victories over Liberty and Morehead State at the first day of the Grand Sands Tournament.
 
The Colonels (2-0) started the day with 5-0 sweep of the Flames, without relenting a single set across the five countable matches.
 
EKU followed up the strong opening performance with a 4-1 victory over in-state foe Morehead State.
 
AGAINST THE FLAMES
 
EK Lonergan and Gabriella Armitage got the match started with a win from the No. 4 spot controlling the match from start to finish, 21-15, 21-11.
 
Natalie Taggart and Reagan Sandlin put together the largest margin of victory in their win at the No. 2 match winning, 21-15, 21-13.
 
EKU cruised through the next rotation of matches then to secure the sweep and mark the program's fourth straight win over the Flames.
 
AGAINST THE EAGLES
 
Taggart and Sandlin battled to a hard-fought victory in their first set of the No. 2 spot winning, 21-18, before rolling in the second set to claim the match, 21-9.
 
Paityn Walker and Sarah Mitchell put a solid performance at the No. 1 spot in the match winning, 21-19, 21-17 behind stellar defensive and passing plays made by the pair.
 
Despite a loss at the No. 3 match, the Colonels finished strong as Madalyn Richardson and Riley Cutler battled deep into the second set of the No. 5 match pulling out the win, 21-15, 23-21.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Colonels return to action in the final day tomorrow taking on Tusculum 10 a.m. and ASUN opponent Austin Peay at 4 p.m.
 
EKU 5, LIBERTY 0

1. Paityn Walker/Sarah Mitchell (EKU) def. Sydnie Metzker/Lizzy Armstrong (LU), 21-16, 21-11
2. Natalie Taggart/Reagan Sandlin (EKU) def. Grace Cropper/Jillian Kater (LU), 21-17, 21-13
3. Rachel Mueller/ Elpida Pitsigkoni (EKU) def. Cara Lecklider/Eliza Griffin (LU), 21-13, 21-18
4. Emily-Kate Lonergan/Gabriella Armitage (EKU) def. Brie Olson/Maggie Marable (LU), 21-15, 21-11
5. Sami Deidesheimer/Arilyn Lee (EKU) def. Brenna Rae Bentley/Gracie Hall (LU), 21-14, 21-10

 
EKU 4, MOREHEAD ST. 1

1.  Paityn Walker/Sarah Mitchell (EKU) def. Irene Wogenstahl and Bella Marita (MOR), 21-19, 21-17
2. Natalie Taggart/Reagan Sandlin (EKU) def. Peighton Isley/Sydney Wyman (MOR), 21-18 ,21-9
3. Shea Hefner/M.E. Hargan (MOR) def. Rachel Mueller/Elpida Pitsigkoni (EKU), 21-11, 22-20
4. Emily-Kate Lonergan/Gabriella Armitage (EKU) def. Landyn Snowden/Brenna Bommer (MOR), 21-13, 21-19
5. Madalyn Richardson/Riley Cutler (EKU) def. Lily-Kate Carver/Courtney Fitzgerald (MOR), 21-15, 23-21