SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State beach volleyball team dropped its first dual of the Bear Challenge Thursday evening as the Bears were defeated by ULM, 3-2.  
 
"It was great to get back on the sand today, but we have work to do," head coach Russ Friedland said. "We made too many errors against a strong ULM team that took advantage. Our fives did a great job starting us off with a win and they played as clean and smoothly as they had all year. Chloe (Tome) and Grace (Cook) played a great first and third set to give us our second win." 
  
The Bears' (4-2) got off to a hot start as Brooke Plessner and Gala Galabova were dominant in the No. 5 match sweeping the Warhawks" Kaitlyn Nowak and Holland Ponthieux, 22-20 and 21-19. ULM knotted things up in the No. 3 spot as Katie McKay and Anna Demmer defeated Parker McAllen and Kylee Davis, 21-15, 21-17. In the No. 4 match Tory Penick and Pam Jaime fell to the Warhawks Audrey Bufkin and Elizabeth Moreland, 21-8, 21-17. ULM clinched the dual in the No. 1 match as Audrey Brooks and Julia Blazek swept Chloe Filipski and Tylar Garrett, 21-11, 21-18.  Missouri State ended the night on a high-note as Chloe Tome and Grace Cook won a three-set thriller over Kayla Gallant and Abigail Elder (21-13, 15-21, 15-12) in the No. 2 match to improve to 5-0 on the season. 
 
"Overall, we need to reduce our errors and play a cleaner all-around game," Friedland reflected. "I am excited to work on those few things as this week progresses." 
  
The Bears will continue Bear Challenge play tomorrow against Ottawa with first serve slated for 9:30 a.m. 
 
Results 
ULM 3, MSU 2
No. 1. Audrey Brooks / Julia Blazek (ULM) def. Chloe Filipski / Tylar Garrett (MSU) 21-11, 21-18
No. 2. Grace Cook / Chloe Tome (MSU) def. Kayla Gallant/ Abigail Elder (ULM) 21-13, 15-21, 15-12
No. 3 Katie McKay / Anna Demmer (ULM) def. Parker McAllen / Kylee Davis (MSU) 21-15, 21-17
No. 4 Audrey Bufkin / Elizabeth Moreland (ULM) def. Tory Penick / Pam Jaime (MSU) 21-8, 21-17
No. 5 Gala Galabova / Brooke Plessner (MSU) def. Kaitlyn Nowak / Holland Ponthieux (ULM)  22-20, 21-19 
Order of Finish 
5, 3, 4, 1*, 2 
*Clinched Match Point