CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Eastern Kentucky University beach volleyball team got its 2025 season off to winning ways going 3-1 at the Cincy Clash over Feb. 21-22.
 
At the season opening tournament the Colonels notched wins over Liberty, Austin Peay, and Tennessee Tech.
 
Senior Paityn Walker also eclipsed 50 career wins on the weekend earning three wins in the top-flight with partner Gabriella Armitage pushing Walker's win total to 51.
 
Walker becomes only the second player in program history to reach the half-century mark in wins alongside former partner Sarah Mitchell.
 
Walker now sits tied with Mitchell for the program record in wins.
 
EKU closed out the tournament with two wins on Saturday sweeping ASUN foe Austin Peay, 5-0 before knocking off Tennessee Tech, 4-1.
 
On the opening day of the tournament, the Colonels swept the Flames of Liberty, 5-0 before falling to in-state rival Morehead St., 3-2.
 
Going undefeated on the weekend were the pairs of EK Lonergan and Madalyn Richardson and Molly Shomock and Rachel Mueller.
 
Two other duos of Colonels ended the two days at 3-1 in Armitage and Walker and Bella Williams and Elpida Pitsigkoni only faltering against MSU.
 
The Colonels will next hit the sand at the UAB March to May in Birmingham, Ala. March 7-8 taking on New Orleans, UAB, North Alabama and UT Martin.
 
EKU 5, Liberty 0
 
1. Paityn Walker and Gabriella Armitage (EKU) def.
Brooke Elliot and Grace Cropper (LU)
21-13 12-21 15-10
 
2. Molly Shomock and Rachel Mueller (EKU) def.
Kinley Phillips and Brie Olson (LU)
21-15 21-15
 
3. Reagan Sandlin and Riley Cutler (EKU) def.
Brenna Rae Bentley and Taylor Bates (LU)
21-14 21-14
 
4. Bella Williams and Elpida Pitsigkoni (EKU) def.
Josephine Malone and Avaree Kellert (LU)
21-6 21-11
 
5. Madalyn Richardson and EK Lonergan (EKU) def.
Caroline Meehan and Sydney Whitfield (LU)
21-9 21-9
 
Morehead State 3, EKU 2
 
1. Irene Wogenstahl and Bella Marita (MOR) def.
Paityn Walker and Gabriella Armitage (EKU)
21-17 24-26 15-7
 
2 Molly Shomock and Rachel Mueller (EKU) def.
M.E. Hargan and Sydney Wyman (MOR)
21-4 21-16
 
3. Peighton Isley and Sarah Heath (MOR) def.
Reagan Sandlin and Riley Cutler (EKU)
16-21 21-18 15-13
 
4. Brenna Bommer and Shea Hefner (MOR) def.
Bella Williams and Elpida Pitsigkoni (EKU)
21-17 21-15
 
5. Madalyn Richardson and EK Lonergan (EKU) def.
Amelia Nott and Courtney Fitzgerald (MOR)
18-21 21-15 15-11
 
EKU 5, Austin Peay 0
 
1. Paityn Walker and Gabriella Armitage (EKU) def.
Grace Austin and Jordan Morris (APSU)
23-21 21-14
 
2. Molly Shomock and Rachel Mueller (EKU) def.
Emily Freel and Anna Kate Clark (APSU)
21-14 21-14
 
3. Reagan Sandlin and Riley Cutler (EKU) def.
Alyson Cooper and Bailey Lasater (APSU)
21-14 21-14
 
4. Bella Williams and Elpida Pitsigkoni (EKU) def.
Jordyn Beneteau and Gabriella MacKenzie (APSU)
21-15 21-11
5. Madalyn Richardson and EK Lonergan (EKU) def.
Angelena Greene and Emma Loiars (APSU)
21-18 21-10
 
EKU 4, Tennesse Tech 1
 
1. Paityn Walker and Gabriella Armitage (EKU) def.
Brooke Amann and Bella Powell (TTU)
21-14 21-11
 
2. Molly Shomock and Rachel Mueller (EKU) def.
Jordan Karlen and Alayna Pierce (TTU)
22-20 21-16
 
3. MK Roberts and Aleeya Jones (TTU) def.
Reagan Sandlin and Riley Cutler (EKU)
22-20 19-21 16-14
 
4. Bella Williams and Elpida Pitsigkoni (EKU) def.
Elena Wallace and Bella Lineberger (TTU)
21-14 21-9
 
5. Madalyn Richardson and EK Lonergan (EKU) def.
Emma Pabon and McKenna Young (TTU)
21-17 21-7