CONWAY, Ark. - Missouri State beach volleyball (21-5) secured its fifth undefeated weekend of the season, going 3-0 at the Beach Bear Clash thanks to a win in its lone Saturday match against Central Arkansas, 4-1.

The Bears extended their winning streak to six matches going back to their win against Arizona Christian at the end of the Arizona Invitational. 

A rematch of yesterday's 5-0 Missouri State win, the Maroon Bears won the first four matches to conclude before UCA avoided the sweep in the final match.

"Today we knew we were going to have to come out stronger than yesterday," senior Brooke Plessner said. "Our goal as a team was to beat UCA for a second time, and we did just that."

Just like in yesterday's match, MacKenzie Cleary and Amanda Cleary were the first to secure their win at flight No. 2 against UCA's Brooke Kuball and Katie Atkinson. Central Arkansas swapped players on the first two flights, but Missouri State came away with the sweep at No. 2 yet again, 21-13, 21-18.

Allyson Larkin and Olivia Rattler once again got the job done at flight No. 4 against Ella Weilert and Liliana Irizarry in a rematch of yesterday's No. 4 matchup. The results this time around were nearly identical with Missouri State allowing one fewer point on Saturday to win, 21-15, 21-16.

Flight No. 1 turned out to be the clinching match for the Bears as Becca Bach and Manuela Niemeyer took down the new-look UCA pairing of Anna Linskey and Naya Tan after a long second set in a sweep, 21-17, 25-23.

Plessner and Maddie Schrandt also extended their winning streak as a pair and completed their perfect weekend at flight No. 5 against Madelyn White and Audrey Cathcart in another three-set comeback. Just like on Friday, Plessner and Schrandt came back from dropping the first set with this match ending with a score of 21-23, 21-17, 16-14.

"It took a few gritty plays and close games, but we came out on top," Plessner said. "I am very proud of my teammates for cheering on each other when we needed them most."

Central Arkansas took a flight win against Missouri State on No. 3 against Olivia Muriel and Erin Eschleman. UCA's Payton Sproule and Anna Collums responded after getting swept by the same Bears pair 21-12, 21-18 with a nearly identical score going the other way in UCA's favor, 21-13, 21-18. Central Arkansas handed Muriel and Eschleman their first loss since playing No. 19 Arizona last month.

Missouri State concludes its regular season road slate with a 4-1 away record and a 6-4 neutral site record. The Bears will begin the last week of its regular season on Tuesday against Park University (Mo.) at 2:00 p.m. at Betty & Bobby Allison Sand Volleyball Courts.


Results

Missouri State 4 - Central Arkansas 1

Flight 1: Becca Bach/Manuela Niemeyer (MSU) def. Anna Linskey/Naya Tan (UCA): 21-17, 25-23

Flight 2: MacKenzie Steele/Amanda Cleary (MSU) def. Brooke Kuball/Katie Atkinson (UCA): 21-13, 21-18

Flight 3: Payton Sproule/Anna Collums (UCA) def. Olivia Muriel/Erin Eschleman (MSU): 21-13, 21-18

Flight 4: Allyson Larkin/Olivia Muriel (MSU) def. Ella Weilert/Liliana Irizarry (UCA): 21-15, 21-16

Flight 5: Brooke Plessner/Maddie Schrandt (MSU) def. Madelyn White/Audrey Cathcart (UCA): 21-23, 21-17, 16-14

Order of Finish: 2, 4, 1, 5, 3