Beach Volleyball Advances To Second Consecutive OVC Semifinals

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Lindenwood beach volleyball (15-13, 4-6 OVC) advanced to their second consecutive Ohio Valley Conference semifinal appearance after defeating Morehead State and Tennessee Tech in back-to-back matches. The Lions have now made the OVC semifinals for the second time in their first three seasons as a program.

MATCH ONE

#4 Lindenwood – 3

#3 Morehead State – 0

The Lions started elimination day with a 3-0 sweep over the Eagles of Morehead State (14-12, 7-3 OVC) marking the first time this season the Lions have defeated MSU. Lindenwood was able to pull off their first sweep of the tournament after the first three pairs won.

 

Myah Hough and Sienna King started the day off with two closes matches winning in two sets over the fives pair of Hollan Everett and Courtney Fitzgerald by scores of 21-19 and 21-19.

 

Gabby Belcher and Aubrey Sheppard continued their strong weekend with a three-set win in the fours over Brenna Bommer and Shea Hefner. The undefeated duo won by scores of 21-19, 18-21 and 16-14.

 

Abby VanBuskirk and Taylor Gentemann wrapped up the sweep picking up their first win of the weekend after taking down Peighton Isley and Amelia Nott in a three set battle. After leading 1-0 after the first set, the Lions’ three pair fell in the second but responded in a big way winning the third 15-6. Both the ones and twos matches went unfinished as the Lions advanced to take on Tennessee Tech.

MATCH TWO

#4 Lindenwood – 3

#5 Tennessee Tech – 2

In what was the closest match of the week thus far, the Lions pulled off an incredible 3-2 win over Tennessee Tech to keep their season alive. Lindenwood went a perfect 4-0 against the Golden Eagles this year as they inch closer to the championship match.

Belcher and Sheppard have become the only Lions’ pair thus far to start the OVC Tournament with a perfect 4-0 record. The fours picked up the first point of the match in the fours after defeating Emma Pabon and Elena Wallace 21-14 and 21-18.

Tennessee Tech went on to take both points in the fives and threes as they took a 2-1 lead over the Lions. Hough and King lost in a tightly contested two set match by scores of 23-25 and 14-21. VanBuskirk and Gentemann also fell by scores of 16-21 and 17-21.

Coming down the wire, the ones pair of Abby Jacobs and Annalie McWhorter tied the match at 2-2 with an impressive two set sweep over Bella Powell and Jordan Karlen. The Lions even the series with scores of 21-13 and 21-19.

It all came down to the two pair as Nyah Wilson and Katie Bockhorst battled Alayna Pierce and Brooke Amann. After TTU took the first set 12-21, Wilson and Bockhorst responded coming back multiple times to take the second set by a score of 22-20. After trailing by two points early in the third and final set, the Lions responded with a come from behind victory winning 15-12 and helped the Lions to their second consecutive OVC semifinals appearance.

Lindenwood will now battle #2 UT Martin on Saturday, April 26th at 8:00 a.m. CT for a chance at a trip to the OVC Championship match against #1 Chattanooga. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.