ATLANTA  - The Eastern Kentucky University beach volleyball team split its opening two matches of the GSU Diggin' Duals on Friday against UL-Monroe and North Alabama.

The Colonels opened the tournament with a dramatic 3-2 win over UL-Monroe with three of the five flights went to third sets.

EKU started hot taking the first two matches beginning at the 5's as Bella Williams and Elpida Pitsigkoni took the win, 21-12, 21-19.

Following in kind, EK Lonergan and Reagan Sandlin got it done at the 4's, 21-14,16-21, 15-8 to put the Colonels up, 2-0.

Paityn Walker and Molly Shomock sealed the Colonels' first ever win over the Warhawks taking the 1's, 21-14, 15-21, 15-12.

Against the Lions, the Colonels forced three sets at the 2's and 3's but were unable to secure a point.
 
The Colonels will now prepare for day two of the duals, as they face Georgia State at 10:45 a.m. and UL-Monroe again at 12:30 p.m.

EKU 3, ULM 2

#	FLIGHTS	1	2	3
1	Paityn Walker and Molly Shomock (EKU) def. Kaitlyn Beck and Madeline Marquez (ULM)	21-14	15-21	15-12
2	Abby Ryno and Claire Williamson (ULM) def. Rachel Mueller and Gabriella Armitage (EKU)	21-17	21-17
3	Ka Fredette-Huffman and Avery Hunter (ULM) def. Madalyn Richardson and Riley Cutler (EKU)	23-21	18-21	15-12
4	EK Lonergan and Reagan Sandlin (EKU) def. Katie Felts and Maggie Cox (ULM)	21-14	16-21	15-8
5	Bella Williams and Elpida Pitsigkoni (EKU) def. Paige Ingersoll and Maddie Peterson (ULM)	21-12	21-19

 
North Alabama 5, EKU 0

#	FLIGHTS	1	2	3
1	Selma Robinson and Katy Floyd (UNA) def. Paityn Walker and Molly Shomock (EKU)	21-15	21-11
2	Paige Griner and Ryenne Gepford (UNA) def. Rachel Mueller and Gabriella Armitage (EKU)	18-21	21-19	15-8
3	Aurora Bibolotti and Pien Grooters (UNA) def. Madalyn Richardson and Riley Cutler (EKU)	14-21	21-18	21-19
4	Lucy Wedding and Mabrey Whitehead (UNA) def. EK Lonergan and Reagan Sandlin (EKU)	29-27	21-19
5	Hailey Benesz and Kaitlyn Holbrook (UNA) def. Bella Williams and Elpida Pitsigkoni (EKU)	21-19	21-19