FLORENCE, Ala. - After 16 days off, the Eastern Kentucky University beach volleyball team returns to action at the Shoals Beach Bash in Florence, Alabama, from March 27-28.
 
The Colonels will play a four-match slate across two days.
 
The tournament opens Friday with a familiar opponent, Tusculum, at 12 p.m. CT.
 
The Pioneers enter the matchup 6-12 on the season and have lost their last nine contests. The two teams met earlier this season at the Cincy Clash, where EKU earned a 4-1 victory. The Colonels hold a 5-3 advantage in the all-time series and have won the last three matchups against Tusculum.
 
Later in the day, EKU faces conference foe North Alabama at 4 p.m. CT.
 
The last meeting between the two teams came in the ASUN Conference Tournament, where the Lions ended EKU's season with a 3-1 win. North Alabama enters the weekend 9-9 overall but has faced four ranked opponents this season.
 
On Saturday, EKU will face Austin Peay at 10 a.m. CT in a rematch of the Day of Duals.
 
The Colonels are 2-0 against the Governors this season, losing just one flight across both matchups. The last meeting came on March 11, when EKU earned a 4-1 victory.
 
Later that day, the Colonels will close out the weekend against Spring Hill at 2 p.m. CT.
 
The Badgers are 6-7 on the season and enter the tournament on a five-match losing streak. Saturday's matchup will mark the first meeting between the two programs.
 
EKU enters the tournament 9-6 overall and is currently on a two-match winning streak. The Colonels are led in the top flight by Riley Cutler and Molly Shomock, who enter the weekend 11-4 on the season.
 
EKU will look to build momentum as it heads back to Richmond for the EKU Sand Fest next weekend.