Chattanooga beach volleyball will be playing in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament title match on Saturday after the Mocs came away with a thrilling 3-2 victory over No. 1 seed UT Martin in Friday’s semifinal round.
The Mocs needed all five courts to get the job done, but UTC found its way back into the championship match once again after completing a come from behind win against the Skyhawks. The Mocs will now be aiming to claim their first-ever OVC Tournament title in program history on Saturday.
While UTC won’t know its championship opponent until after tomorrow’s final loser’s bracket match between UT Martin and Lindenwood, the Mocs know they’ll have a date with the victor in a winner-takes-all final set to take place at 12 p.m.
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Chattanooga vs. UT Martin – W, 3-2 In what turned out to be a thrilling and dramatic semifinal against the Skyhawks, the Mocs were able to get on the board early with Morgan Romano and Julia Lawrence snagging a 21-18, 21-14 victory on Court 5. The Skyhawks came up with a strong response, earning wins in the No. 3 and No. 4 positions, putting UTM a win away from clinching the match. With UTC’s No. 1 pairing already having dropped their opening set, the Mocs would have to roll up their sleeves and go to work. Gylian Finch and McKenna Faychak provided the first of two crucial blows for the Mocs, securing a 24-22, 21-11 win on Court 2 to level the score at 2-2. It was then the grit and determination of UTC’s No. 1 pair that was the final dagger, as Neva Clark and Corina Vale completed the reverse sweep on Court 1 to win 14-21, 22-20, 15-9 to clinch UTC’s spot in the final.
1. Neva Clark/Corina Vale (UTC) def. Jenna Vallee/Olivia O’Keefe (UTM) 14-21, 22-20, 15-9
2. Gylian Finch/McKenna Faychak (UTC) def. Sydney Eckhardt/Dylan Mott (UTM) 24-22, 21-11
3. Ryan Rednour/Addy Vaughn (UTM) def. Joy Courtright/Maddie Lecik (UTC) 21-17, 21-19
4. Kristin Phillips/Haeleigh Paulino (UTM) def. Paige Gallentine/Kaye Gresham (UTC) 21-13, 21-17
5. Morgan Romano/Julia Lawrence (UTC) def. Kayla Carrell/Raegan McGee (UTM) 21-18, 21-14
Order of finish: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1