MARTIN, Tenn. - The No. 1-seeded Chattanooga Beach Volleyball team battled hard to knock down upset-minded Morehead State 3-1, who was the No. 4 seed, in its first match of the OVC Tournament on Thursday afternoon. 

Chattanooga woke up this morning not knowing who its opponent would be, as Morehead State took down Eastern Illinois in the first game of the day to advance to play the Mocs. 

Chattanooga earned the first point of the match in the No. 5 position, as Ava Goryl and Madeline McCabe took down OVC Freshman of the Year, Haylee Deponte, and her partner, Sydney Sennett, 21-11, 21-11. 

The Eagles soon tied the match up at one, applying some game pressure on UTC, as Logan Smith and Amelia Nott gave Taylor Clark and Ashli McKenny their first loss against OVC opposition this year. The final score read 21-15, 21-18 in the No. 4-ranked match. 

On Court 2, Julia Lawrence and Corina Vale stepped up to the plate for their side, taking down Sarah Heath and Shea Hefner in straight sets, 21-16, 21-14. They were then followed by Ansley Gulledge and Sydney Jackwin on Court 3, who took down Landyn Snowden and Hollan Everett 21-16, 21-16 to clinch the win for the Sandy Mocs. 

Fresh after being named OVC Pair of the Year, Maddie Lecik and McKenna Faychak had their match suspended after the Sandy Mocs picked up their third win. They were tied at one set apiece with M.E. Hargan and Bella Marita. 

The win moves Chattanooga to 10-6 all-time in the OVC Tournament. Additionally, UTC is on a seven-match winning streak in the tournament. Against Morehead State, Chattanooga is now 10-6 and winners of seven in a row against the Eagles. 

Results

1. McKenna Faychak and Maddie Lecik (UTC) vs. M.E. Hargan and Bella Marita (MORE) 21-23, 21-12, 1-1 match was unfinished 
2. Julia Lawrence and Corina Vale (UTC) def. Sarah Heath and Shea Hefner (MORE) 21-16, 21-14
3. Ansley Gulledge and Sydney Jackwin (UTC) def. Landyn Snowden and Hollan Everett (MORE) 21-16, 21-16
4. Logan Smith and Amelia Nott (MORE) def. Taylor Clark and Ashli McKenny (UTC) 21-15, 21-18
5. Ava Goryl and Madeline McCabe (UTC) def. Haylee Deponte and Sydney Sennett (MORE) 21-11, 21-11

Quote
Head Coach Darin Van Horn

Thoughts on today's win
"You never know what it's going to look like going into that first game of a conference tournament. I think there are always jitters and nerves. I'm proud of the way we handled the highs and lows. I thought Morehead State played hard and found a way to push us and never gave up. We need to continue focusing on one dual at a time, one set at a time, and enjoy the path as it comes to us."

Up Next: Chattanooga plays tomorrow at 3 p.m. against the winner of Lindenwood and UT Martin, who play tonight. If the Sandy Mocs win tomorrow, they will advance to the Championship match on Saturday afternoon. A loss will send them to the early game on Saturday morning, where they would have another opportunity to punch their ticket to the Championship match. 

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