COLUMBIA, S.C. – The final day of the Carolina Challenge saw EKU's beach volleyball program close out the tournament with its first win all-time against Coastal Carolina, 3-2.
 
The Colonels' victory saw them finish the day, 1-1 after falling to host South Carolina 5-0 earlier in the day.
 
"I am very proud of the team on the weekend. Getting two wins against teams we have never beaten before is always a great feeling," said head coach Jeff Patton. "Maddy and Natalie continued their good weekend with a win and 3-1 record. Bella did a great job stepping up, coming back into the lineup, and helping secure the win over Coastal Carolina!"
 
Against the Chanticleers it came down to the very end as it came down to the No. 5 match.
 
With the match tied at two, Bella Williams and Elpida Pitsigkoni earned a dramatic, 16-14 win in the third set as the Chanticleers were unable to return service on match point.
 
Also earning wins for the Colonels were Madalyn Richardson & Natalie Taggart at the No. 4 match and Rachel Shomock and Rachel Mueller at the No. 2 match, both earning wins in three sets as well.
 
The win is the Colonels' first over Coastal in four previous tries.


EKU 3, Coastal Carolina 2
 

1	Frida Meincke and Emma Kunaus (CCU) def. Paityn Walker and Gabriella Armitage (EKU)	19-21	21-18	15-9
2	Molly Shomock and Rachel Mueller (EKU) def. Maya McNabney and Madeline Sigmon (CCU)	24-22	21-19
3	Kristyna Koblizkova and Raychel Ehlers (CCU) def. Reagan Sandlin and Riley Cutler (EKU)	21-14	21-16
4	Madalyn Richardson and Natalie Taggart (EKU) def. Celia Ryan and Karis Gordon (CCU)	11-21	21-15	15-9
5	Bella Williams and Elpida Pitsigkoni (EKU) def. Ava Novello and Sydney Schwanbeck (CCU)	21-15	18-21	16-14

 
Order of finish:3, 2, 4, 1, 5,

South Carolina 5, EKU 0
 

1	Riley Whitesides and Julia Waugh (SC) def. Paityn Walker and Gabriella Armitage (EKU)	21-15	21-18
2	Jolie Cranford and Morgan Downs (SC) def. Bella Williams and Rachel Mueller (EKU)	21-13	21-16
3	Sadie Nelson and Rachel Hartmann (SC) def. Reagan Sandlin and Riley Cutler (EKU)	18-21	21-13	15-11
4	VB Trost and Evie Ziffer (SC) def. Madalyn Richardson and Natalie Taggart (EKU)	21-15	21-13
5	Abigail Lagemann and Jordan Benoit (SC) def. Tatum Meinerz and Elpida Pitsigkoni (EKU)	21-16	21-18

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