For the first time in program history, Chattanooga beach volleyball can call itself Ohio Valley Conference Tournament champions after UTC dominated Lindenwood 3-0 in the tournament final on Saturday.
The Mocs end their weekend as double champions, having entered the tournament as co-regular season champions following a 9-1 OVC record on the year. UTC then went on to go a perfect 3-0 this weekend in Morehead, failing to drop a match against the likes of Lindenwood and UT Martin in the double elimination bracket.
“I’m just speechless right now,” head coach Darin Van Horn said.
“Obviously we came into this weekend with a lot of confidence. I said before it that I trusted every pair that we have, and I can rely on each of them to win at each spot. We took that trust and that belief in one another, and we ran with it.”
“It’s just really special for me to sit back and watch them enjoy these moments. That was our message all week was to be here and be in the moment, whether it’s good or bad this is something you don’t wanna forget about anytime soon.”
Chattanooga will now wait to hear its name called on Sunday during the 2024 NCAA Tournament Selection Show, which will air at 11 a.m. ET on NCAA.com. The NCAA Beach Volleyball Tournament is set to take place May 3-5 in Gulf Shores, Alabama, at Gulf Shores Public Beach.
“Just super proud of this group,” Van Horn said. “We gave the seniors that were a part of our first recruiting class a championship, and we’re looking to grab some more.”
Neva Clark and Corina Vale finished the tournament as OVC Tournament MVPs for their efforts on Court 1 for the Mocs, while UTC’s Court 2 pairing of Gylian Finch and McKenna Faychak received spots on the OVC All-Tournament Team.
Chattanooga vs. Lindenwood – W, 3-0 The Mocs struck early on the Lions, with the consistent No. 4 pairing of Kaye Gresham and Paige Gallentine coming up big for UTC with a dominant 21-10, 21-7 victory. Chattanooga’s fives then completed an important reverse sweep for the Mocs before the turn, having dropped the first set 21-19 before snagging 21-10 and 15-10 set wins to put UTC up 2-0. Needing just one more win to secure the title, all three of UTC’s top three pairings were able to win their opening sets, putting the Mocs on the brink of victory. Gylian Finch and McKenna Faychak finally crossed the goal line for the Mocs, earning a 21-15, 21-13 win on Court 2. The dust settled in Morehead, and for the first time in program history, the Mocs were going dancing.
1. Neva Clark/Corina Vale (UTC) vs. Nyah Wilson/Maider Soto (LIN) unfinished
2. Gylian Finch/McKenna Faychak (UTC) def. Abby Jacobs/Katie Malzahn (LIN) 21-15, 21-13
3. Joy Courtright/Maddie Lecik (UTC) vs. Jessie Seidel/Annalie McWhorter (LIN) unfinished
4. Kaye Gresham/Paige Gallentine (UTC) def. Abby VanBuskirk/Kailee McGee (LIN) 21-10, 21-7
5. Morgan Romano/Julia Lawrence (UTC) def. Amber Schade/Elise Llorens (LIN) 19-21, 21-10, 15-10
Order of finish: 4, 5, 2