DeLAND, Fla. – The Eastern Kentucky University beach volleyball team fell in its first-round matchup against No. 4 seeded North Alabama on Wednesday, 4-1.
 
Despite the final score, the Colonels pushed the Lions to the edge at nearly all flights, including losing two matches after three sets.
 
EKU struck first in the dual, at the No. 4 flight, as Rachel Mueller and Gabriella Armitage sailed to a two-set win, 21-12, 21-11 powered by sound defense.
 
UNA tied things up at No. 5 as Elizabeth Fonvielle and Bailey Rima nearly took the first set before ultimately losing, 21-19, 21-15.
 
At the No. 3 match, Madalyn Richardson and Riley Cutler took the first set of their match by two points but were unable to pull off the win in three sets, 19-21, 21-16, 15-10.
 
The Lions sealed the dual at the No. 2 spot then winning, 21-11, 21-13, before finishing things off at the No. 1 match in three-sets, 18-21, 21-19, 16-14.
 
EKU's loss now sets the Colonels up with a matchup against rival Austin Peay tomorrow at 1 p.m. in the elimination bracket.
 
The Colonels are 2-0 against the Governors this season, as they will look to earn revenge against APSU as they eliminated EKU from the tournament last season.