CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Eastern Kentucky University's beach volleyball team spilt its first two matches against ASUN opponents in the Stacheville Beach Bash on Friday, dropping a 4-1 match to North Alabama, before securing a thrilling, 3-2 win over Central Arkansas.
 
EKU's win came down to the wire, with the match tied at two matches apiece, coming down to the third and final set of the No. 3 match.
 
Trailing 10-5, Riley Cutler and Madalyn Richardson rallied to get the win, taking the set 15-3 and earning the victory for the Colonels.
 
The dynamic duo of Paityn Walker and Sarah Mitchell continued to shine on the day, securing wins in both of their matches at the No. 1 spot, moving to 9-5 on the season as a pair, winning six of their last seven matches,
 
With today's split the Colonels move to 7-7 for the season as a team.
 
AGAINST THE LIONS
 
EKU struggled to get going against North Alabama in the first match of the tournament, as UNA entered the weekend as winners of eight of their last nine matches controlled nearly all courts.
 
Walker and Mitchell provided the Colonels' sole point of the dual winning in two sets, 21-13, 21-16.
 
AGAINST THE BEARS
 
The Colonels earned their second win of the season against ASUN competition against a hungry Bears team that gave EKU all it could handle.
 
The two team's split the No. 4 and 5 matches, with EKU's Rachel Mueller and EK Lonergan earning a team point with a 21-18, 21-18 win at the four spot.
 
Walker and Mitchell gave EKU a, 2-1 lead after their win at the No. 1 slot, but UCA struck back with a three-set win at No. 2 bringing it all down to the No. 3 match.
 
After trading the first two sets, 21-17, 17-21, Cutler and Richardson fell behind early to the Bears, trailing 10-5 in the final set of the dual.
The EKU duo however, were able to capitalize an crucial miss hits by UCA while making stellar defensive plays to come back and take a 14-13 lead.
 
On match point, the Colonels received service, as Cutler set Richardson up for a soft cross-court shot at the net to get the win.
 
UP NEXT
 
EKU will now prepare to face rival and tournament host Austin Peay tomorrow, with first serve set for 1:30 p.m. ET.
 
 
North Alabama 4, Eastern Kentucky 1
 
1. Paityn Walker/Sarah Mitchell (EKU) def. Paula Klemperer/Taylor Seney (UNA) 21-17, 21-17
2. Katy Floyd/Selma Robinson (UNA) def. Elpida Pitsigkoni/Reagan Sandlin (EKU) 21-15, 21-14
3. Mackenzie Martin/Ryenne Gepford (UNA) def. Riley Cutler/Madalyn Richardson (EKU) 21-14, 21-18
4. Kaitlyn Holbrook/Grace Austin (UNA) def. Emily-Kate Lonergan/Gabriella Armitage (EKU) 21-14, 21-10
5. Sarah Larkin Lewis/Jelena Girod (UNA) def. Sami Deidesheimer/Arilyn Lee (EKU) 21-11, 21-17
 
 
Eastern Kentucky 3, Central Ark. 2
 
1. Paityn Walker/Sarah Mitchell (EKU) def. Katie Atkinson/Brooke Kuball (UCA) 21-13, 21-16
2. Anna Collums/Payton Sproule (UCA) def. Reagan Sandlin/Elpida Pitsigkoni (EKU) 21-14, 18-21, 15-13
3. Riley Cutler/Madalyn Richardson (EKU) def. Anna Linskey/Naya Tan (UCA) 21-17, 17-21, 15-13
4. Rachel Mueller/Emily-Kate Lonergan (EKU) def. Ella Weilert/Liliana Irizary (UCA) 21-18, 21-18
5. Madelyn White/Audrey Cathcart (UCA) def. Bailey Rima/Gabriella Armitage (EKU) 21-17, 21-13