LOVELAND, Ohio – The Eastern Kentucky University beach volleyball improved its record to 4-0 to begin the 2024 season beating Tusculum and Austin Peay both by a score of, 3-2 on Saturday to finish the Grand Sands Tournament.
 
EK Lonergan and Gabriella Armitage dominated on the day as the only pair from the Colonels to win both of their matches between the two contests.
 
With the win over APSU, EKU avenges its season ending loss in the ASUN Conference Tournament last spring.
 
AGAINST THE PIONEERS
 
The Colonels found themselves tied with the Pioneers after the No. 2 and 4 matches, but came through in the end, winning two of the next three to secure the win.
 
Paityn Walker and Sarah Mitchell, made quick work of their match at the No. 1 spot winning, 21-7, 21-11 before Rachel Mueller and Elpida Pitsigkoni sealed the win at the No. 3 match, 21-15, 21-15.
 
AGAINST THE GOVERNORS
 
Against their conference rival, EKU jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first two matches.
 
At No. 2, Natalie Taggart and Reagan Sandlin sealed their second win of the day after a narrow first set, 23-21, 21-15.
 
Lonergan and Armitage earned their second win of the day, 21-13, 21-18.
 
In the second rotation of matches the Governors pulled back two wins of their own, but EKU hammered in the third and deciding point thanks to a three-set win at the No. 5 match by Madalyn Richardson and Riley Cutler, 21-15, 19-21, 15-13.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Colonels now prepare for the UAB Beach Classic next week in Birmingham, Ala. beginning March 2.