CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The Chattanooga Beach Volleyball played its first home matches of the 2026 season, taking down Tennessee Tech and Lindenwood at the UTC Sports Complex.

The Sandy Mocs defeated Tech in a 5-0 sweep in their morning match, before earning a 4-1 win over Lindenwood in the afternoon. Chattanooga moved to 8-3 and 3-0 in OVC play with the wins. Tech dropped to 2-14 and 0-3 in OVC play while Lindenwood dropped to 10-5 and 1-1 in OVC action. 

After today's results, UTC has won eight matches in a row, dating back to Feb. 28. It's tied for the third-longest streak in program history. 

Tennessee Tech at Chattanooga - W, 5-0

Taylor Clark and Ashli McKenny put the first point on the day for UTC at the No. 4 slot, defeating Bailey Poppe and Piper Jones 21-18, 21-15.

Ava Goryl and Madeline McCabe pulled through in three sets, behind a dominant third set. The duo got a point for UTC in the No. 5 position against Audrey Kilgore and Alanah Craig 21-13, 17-21, 15-3. 

On Court 3, Ansley Gulledge and Sydney Jackwin had a dominant 21-12, 21-4 win over Kyana Gabriel and Cristina Rotola to clinch the team win for Chattanooga. 

In the No. 2 position, Julia Lawrence and Corina Vale took care of their business, rolling past Kaesha Walter and Jordyn Hamlin 21-12, 21-8.

Chattanooga's No. 1 pair of McKenna Faychak and Maddie Lecik wrapped up the 5-0 sweep with a 21-18, 21-18 win in straight sets against MK Roberts and Vivian RoBards.

Results

1. McKenna Faychak and Maddie Lecik (UTC) def. MK Roberts and Vivian Boards (TTU) 21-18, 21-18

2. Julia Lawrence and Corina Vale (UTC) def. Kaesha Walter (TTU) 21-12, 21-8.

3. Ansley Gulledge and Sydney Jackwin (UTC) def. Kyana Gabriel (TTU) 21-12, 21-14

4. Taylor Clark and Ashli McKenny (UTC) def. Bailey Poppe and Piper Jones (TTU) 21-18, 21-15

5. Ava Goryl and Madeline McCabe (UTC) def. Audrey Kilgore and Alanah Craig (TTU) 21-13, 17-21, 15-3

Order of Finish: 4, 5, 3, 2, 1 

Lindenwood at Chattanooga - W, 4-1

As they did in the morning, McKenny and Clark picked up a point to get things going for Chattanooga, defeating Lexie Schauffler and Katie Bockhorst 21-13, 21-17 at the No. 4 slot. 

Goryl and McCabe in the No. 5 position, won a pair of close sets at 21-19 and 22-20 to defeat Myah Hough and Kaelyn Putz. 

On Court 2, the duo of Lawrence and Vale came through with the clinching point, earning a 21-18, 21-14 win over Abby Jacobs and Annalie McWhorter. 

The lone loss of the day for UTC came in the No. 3 slot and in three sets, as Gulledge and Jackwin fell 13-21, 21-14, 7-15 to Aubrey Sheppard and Gabby Belcher. 

Lecik and Faychak wrapped up Chattanooga's successful home opener day, defeating Nyah Wilson and Susanna Beretti 21-18, 21-14. 

Results

1. McKenna Faychak and Maddie Lecik (UTC) def. Nyah Wilson and Susanna Beretti (LIN) 21-18, 21-14

2. Julia Lawrence and Corina Vale (UTC) def. Abby Jacobs and Annalie McWhorter (LIN) 21-18, 21-14

3. Aubrey Sheppard and Gabby Belcher (LIN) def. Ansley Gulledge and Sydney Jackwin (UTC) 21-13, 14-21, 15-7

4. Taylor Clark and Ashli McKenny (UTC) def. Lexie Schauffler and Katie Bockhorst (LIN) 21-13, 21-17

5. Ava Goryl and Madeline McCabe (UTC) def. Myah Hough and Kaelyn Putz (LIN) 22-20, 21-19

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

Quotes

Head Coach Darin Van Horn

On the team's performance today

"I know there's always some nerves and some excitement coming into our first home weekend in conference play. You know, I thought we showed up at our first one with a little bit of those nerves, and it was definitely showing. But I think we settled in, we calmed our nerves, found our game, played our way, and then, you know, the second match I knew was going to be a tough one. Lindenwood is having a pretty good year. I think they're peaking with a lot of confidence, and so we really had a battle through that one, and I don't think we ever lost control of our confidence, and, you know, I'm just really proud of the way we performed."

On playing at home for the first time this season

"We always love being at home. You know, we love these courts. We think they're some of the best courts around, but more importantly, we were just so excited to perform in front of our fans. Our families travel well, as well as our friends, and people in the department. You know it was just really great to kind of show what we got going on this season, out in front of our own fans. So we're really grateful for that."

Up Next: Chattanooga takes on Eastern Illinois at 8 a.m., and Morehead State at 4 p.m. tomorrow afternoon at UTC Sports Complex.

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