Beach Bears Split on First Day of Skyhawk Invitational

MARTIN, Tenn. – The Missouri State beach volleyball team swept Ottawa (5-0) and fell to Liberty (3-2) here at the Skyhawk Beach Volleyball complex here on Friday evening.

"I am very proud of the Beach Bears today," head coach Gretchen Hand said. "It is never easy to drop a dual and play back-to-back but we recovered to sweep Ottawa. The Bears showed lots of resiliency today. I am excited to see us go to work against Tulane and UT Martin tomorrow."

The Bears were dominant in the nightcap as they swept four of their five matches against Ottawa.

In the No. 5 match, Parker McAllen and Olivia Rattler picked up their 14^th win of the season by sweeping Ella Rodgers and Asia Cole (21-6, 21-17). Grayson Hall and Kaeli Kristensen dispatched Ava Taton and Alison Thortnon (21-14, 21-12) in the No. 4 flight to increase the MSU lead to 2-0.

In the No. 2 position, Chloe Tome and Grace Cook improved their record to 17-1 with a sweep of Madison Wampler and Kaitlyn Haller (21-10, 21-13). Addison Crider and Becca Bach picked up their first win together in the No. 3 flight by defeating Alexa Boyle and Emily Jackson (21-16, 21-15).

The No. 1 pair of Tylar Garrett and Mya Young completed the sweep for the Bears with a thrilling three-set win over Taylor Mobley and Randi Johnson (21-18, 15-21, 15-12).

The victory was the seventh consecutive over Ottawa for Missouri State dating back to 2018.

In the opening dual against Liberty, the Bears grabbed wins at the No. 2 and 5 spots for the fourth-consecutive contests, while Liberty took the No. 1, 3 and 4 flights to secure the 3-2 victory.

In the No. 2 flight, Cook and Tome swept Heather Forton and Lexi Kruse (21-14, 21-12). McAllen and Rattler continued their strong play with a sweep of the Flame's Olivia Litzau and Genessa Sirard by the scores of 21-17 and 21-12.

Kaitlyn Holbrook and Lizzy Armstrong defeated Garrett and Young in two sets (21-8, 21-16) in the No. 1 match. In the No. 4 spot, Hall and Kristensen were swept by Cara Lecklider and Riley Smith (21-13, 21-10).

Liberty clinched the match is the No. 3 spot as Jenae Baker and Syd Metzker secured the victory over Crider and Bach by the scores of 21-16 and 21-14.

Up Next
The Bears continue the Skyhawk Invitational tomorrow when they take on Tulane at 9 a.m. and UT Martin at 3 p.m.

Results

Missouri State 5, Ottawa 0

1. Tylar Garrett/Mya Young (MOST) def. Taylor Mobley/Randi Johnson (OU) 21-18, 15-21, 15-12
2. Grace Cook/Chloe Tome (MOST) def. Madison Wampler/Kaitlyn Haller (OU) 21-10, 21-13
3. Addison Crider/Becca Bach (MOST) def. Alexa Boyle/Emily Jackson (OU) 21-16, 21-15
4. Grayson Hall/Kaeli Kristensen (MOST) def. Ava Taton/Alison Thornton (OU) 21-14, 21-12
5. Parker McAllen/Olivia Rattler (MOST) def. Eli Rodgers/Asia Cole (OU) 21-6, 21-17

Liberty 3, Missouri State 2

1. Kaitlyn Holbrook/Lizzy Armstrong (LU) def. Tylar Garrett/Mya Young (MOST) 21-11, 21-12
2. Grace Cook/Chloe Tome (MOST) def. Heather Forton/Lexi Kruse (LU) 21-14, 21-12
3. Jenae Baker/Syd Metzker (LU) def. Addison Crider/Becca Bach (MOST) 21-16, 21-14
4. Cara Lecklider/Riley Smith (LU) def. Grayson Hall /Kaeli Kristensen (MOST) 21-13, 21-10
5. Parker McAllen/Olivia Rattler (MOST) def. Olivia Litzau/Genessa Sirard (LU) 21-17, 21-12

#BearsUnite

Beach Bears Split on First Day of Skyhawk Invitational

Players Mentioned

Becca Bach

Grace Cook

Addison Crider

Tylar Garrett

Grayson Hall

Kaeli Kristensen

Parker McAllen

Olivia Rattler

Chloe Tome

Mya Young

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