Match Results (PDF)

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Despite taking a set from the No. 6 team in the nation, the Missouri State Beach volleyball team (9-12) fell to the LSU Tigers (26-10) in 3-0 decision in the first round of the CCSA Beach Volleyball Tournament here Thursday afternoon. 

Playing in the top flight for the Bears, Becca Bach and Olivia Muriel started out the tournament by grabbing a 21-16 victory in their first set against LSU's Kylie DeBerg and Ellie Shank. The final sets of the match were not played out, due to reaching a decision in other flights before completion. 

"Our No. 1 team took a set from LSU and we were hopeful to see that finish up in a win but unfortunately we fell to decision before they could complete their match," said head coach Ashley Emery. "Olivia and Becca played some of the best ball we have seen all season. I'm proud of their fighting efforts and growth as a pair." 

The Bears' second flight was the first to wrap up against the Tigers, as seniors Grayson Hall and Tylar Garrett fell to Grace Seits and Parker Bracken, 21-8, 21-10.

Flights four and five were the next to finish as the pairs of Olivia Rattle and Brooke Plessne (No. 4) and Addison Crider and Sydney Sampson (No. 5) both were defeated in two sets apiece. The former fell to Ella Larkin and Lara Boos (21-8, 21-6) while the latter were swept 21-12, 21-11 by the Tigers' pair of Melia Lindner and Amber Haynes.

"We opened up conference with a very tough LSU team," continued Emery. "We had a slow start but looked much better in our second sets across the board."

Tomorrow, the Bears will move to the consolation side of the bracket to play top-seeded TCU to continue their tournament. MSU's battle with the Horned Frogs will begin at 9:30 a.m. CT.