DeLAND, Fla. – The Eastern Kentucky University beach volleyball team, ended its season on Thursday afternoon, falling to Austin Peay at the ASUN Championship, 3-2.
 
All but one dual went to three sets between the two rivals, with the match being decided ultimately in a three-set battle at the top-flight, won by the Govs', 21-15, 16-21, 15-12.
 
The loss brings an end to another historic season for the Colonels with 2024 marking the winningest season in program history, with 16 wins and a winning record of 16-14.
 
Senior Sarah Mitchell will leave EKU as the winningest player in program history with 52 wins all time, all as a Colonel.
 
The Colonels and Govs' traded the first two points of the match, with APSU taking the No. 5 match in three sets, before Madalyn Richardson & Riley Cutler took a three-set thriller at the No. 3 match, 21-23, 21-10, 25-10.
 
EKU took a 2-1 lead after the No. 4 dual, as Rachel Mueller and Gabriella Armitage battled off multiple match points in the second set, and went on to claim the point, 20-22, 24-22, 15-8.
 
APSU tied things up after taking the No. 2 dual, 21-19, 21-12, setting up a match deciding dual at the top-flight.
 
Paityn Walker and Sarah Mitchell bounced back after dropping their first set, claiming the second in convincing fashion, but came up short in the third to end the match, 21-15, 16-21, 15-12.
 
The Colonels will return to the sand next season with a talent and experience rich roster, currently slated to return all, but two players from this winning season.