MARTIN, Tenn. - No. 1-seeded Chattanooga Beach Volleyball came out today with its best performance of the weekend when it mattered most, defeating No. 2 seed Lindenwood in the OVC Championship Match 3-0.
The win secured UTC's third consecutive OVC Tournament Title in a row and clinched its third straight automatic qualification to the NCAA Championships next week. The Sandy Mocs also became the first program in OVC history to win three Beach Volleyball Tournament Championships.
Today's dominant win comes less than 24 hours after Lindenwood gave Chattanooga all it could handle in the Semifinals, where the match came down to the very end with the Blue and Gold winning 3-2. Today it was a different story. In all three matches that finished, Chattanooga won in straight sets.
To go along with Chattanooga's three consecutive titles, Chattanooga has won nine matches in a row in the OVC Tournament. They are now 12-6 all-time in the Tournament.
The win moves Chattanooga to 24-4 on the year while Lindenwood finishes its season at 19-9. The Sandy Mocs remain unbeaten all-time against the Lions with a 14-0 record in a series that dates back to 2023.
Ava Goryl and Madeline McCabe got things started for Chattanooga in a big way in the No. 5 slot. The pair bounced back from a loss yesterday with a convincing 21-13, 21-9 win over Myah Hough and Kaelyn Putz.
Finishing soon after were Taylor Clark and Ashli McKenny in the No. 4 position, defeating Lexie Schauffler and Katie Bockhorst 21-15, 21-17 to put UTC up 2-0. It marked their 25th win of the season, tying the Chattanooga record for most in a season.
The final three matches all started at the same time, with the Sandy Mocs knowing they just needed one win to put their hands on the trophy.
Clinching the winning point for UTC ended up being Sydney Jackwin and Ansley Gulledge on Court 3. The pair took care of business with a 21-14, 21-15 win over Aubrey Sheppard and Gabby Belcher, leading to a team celebration after the final point. They bounced back from a three-set defeat to Sheppard and Belcher yesterday.
After the match ended, Vale and Lawrence were named to the All-Tournament Team. Gulledge and Jackwin were named OVC Tournament MVPs. It's the second year in a row they have won this honor.
Results
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Nyah Wilson and Susanna Beretti (LIN) vs. McKenna Faychak and Maddie Lecik (UTC) match was unfinished 21-18, 16-14
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Julia Lawrence and Corina Vale (UTC) vs. Abby Jacobs and Annalie McWhorter match was unfinished 21-18, 17-9
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Ansley Gulledge and Sydney Jackwin (UTC) def. Aubrey Sheppard and Gabby Belcher (LIN) 21-14, 21-15.
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Taylor Clark and Ashli McKenny (UTC) def. Lexie Schauffler and Katie Bockhorst (LIN) 21-15, 21-17
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Ava Goryl and Madeline McCabe (UTC) def. Myah Hough and Kaelyn Putz (LIN) 21-13, 21-9
Quote
Head Coach Darin Van Horn
On winning another Championship
"You have a great regular season, people stepping up and stepping into the lineup, and all you want to do is finish the season the right way. We were able to do that. I'm so proud of the response today from yesterday. I'm grateful our seniors can go out on top! I'm thankful for the way our administration and fans have supported us. Every year, it's special, and this one is no different!"
Match Notes
Order of finish: 5, 4, 3
Duration: 1:20
Up Next: Chattanooga finds out who it will play in the First Round of the NCAA Championships on Sunday during the 1 p.m. Selection Show. The Tournament is scheduled for May 1-3 in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
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