COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Eastern Kentucky University beach volleyball team went 1-1 on the opening day of the Carolina Challenge hosted by South Carolina on Saturday.

The Colonels started the day with a 4-1 win over the College of Charleston marking the first win over the Cougars in program history before falling to UNCW, 4-1.

"It was a good day," said head coach Jeff Patton. "Getting the win this morning was great against a team we have never beaten before. Reagan and Riley continue to get better and Maddy and Natalie had a good day winning both their matches."

EKU rolled against C of C, only dropping the No. 5 match, winning the remaining four flights without dropping a single set.

At the No. 3 match, Reagan Sandlin and Riley Cutler sealed the win for EKU as Cutler defended an aggressive attack from the Cougars before Sandlin set the sophomore up for the match-clinching point with a shot down the line.

Paityn Walker and Gabriella Armitage finished the duel in dramatic fashion coming back from a 17-20 deficit to win 22-20 closing out EKU's sixth win of the season.

Against UNCW, the Colonels put up fights on all five courts but came up short on four of them with Madalyn Richardson and Natalie Taggart in the four-spot being the only duo to get a win.
The win moved the duo to 2-0 on the day in their first two matches as a pair this season.

Sandlin and Cutler were able to force a third and final set at the third flight, but were unable to finish, dropping the set, 16-14.

The Colonels will be back in the sand for the second day of the Carolina Challenge tomorrow taking on RV South Carolina at 11 a.m. and Coastal Carolina at 3 p.m.

EKU 4, College of Charleston 1
 

1	Paityn Walker and Gabriella Armitage (EKU)def. Emily Banitt and Ella Duffner (COFC)	21-14	22-20
2	Bella Williams and Rachel Mueller (EKU) def. Alivia Newberg and Elizabeth Curry (COFC)	22-20	21-10
3	Reagan Sandlin and Riley Cutler (EKU) def. Cassie Thayse and Alexa Psotka (COFC)	21-15	21-17
4	Madalyn Richardson and Natalie Taggart (EKU)def. Kora Hansen and Allie Holland (COFC)	21-14	21-16
5	Sophie Hays and Tynley Smeltzer (COFC) def. Tatum Meinerz and Elpida Pitsigkoni (EKU)	21-18	21-17

 
Order of finish: 5, 4, 2, 3, 1,
 
UNCW 4, EKU 1
 

1	Gabby LaPata and Sarah Thompson (UNCW) def. Paityn Walker and Gabriella Armitage (EKU)	21-12	21-19
2	Lyvia Trimp and Grace Sistrunk (UNCW) def. Bella Williams and Rachel Mueller (EKU)	21-13	21-18
3	Annika Thompson and Traci Schrock (UNCW) def. Reagan Sandlin and Riley Cutler (EKU)	21-13	16-21	16-14
4	Madalyn Richardson and Natalie Taggart (EKU) def. Hannah Forbes and Maddy Folks (UNCW)	21-15	22-20
5	Tamsie Black and Sophia Puhala (UNCW) def. Amanda Floystad and Melody Butzer (EKU)	21-10	21-17

 
Order of finish: 5, 4, 2, 1, 3,