MARTIN, Tenn. – The Lindenwood beach volleyball team (18-7, 7-3 OVC) opened the 2026 OVC Championship tournament with a thrilling 3-2 win over UT Martin on Thursday evening. The Lions now advance to the semifinals to face Chattanooga.

LU pounced out to a 2-0 lead with Myah Hough and Kaelyn Putz sweeping the fives for LU's first point before Katie Bockhortst and Lexie Schauffler took a 2-1 win at the fours after mounting a comeback 17-15 win in the third set.

However, the Skyhawks took the twos and threes in straight sets to even the match, leaving it up to Nyah Wilson and Susanna Beretti to win the match at the ones. After dropping the opening set, the All-Conference duo overcame a late deficit in set two to force a third frame.

In the deciding set, Wilson and Beretti rode their momentum to an early lead and never let go, rolling to a 15-10 victory and securing the win for Lindenwood.

Results
No. 1 | Nyah Wilson/Susanna Beretti (LU) def. Rushing/Bryant (UTM) – 18-21, 26-24, 15-10
No. 2 | Sulcer/McGee (UTM) def. Abby Jacobs/Annalie McWhorter (LU) – 18-21, 14-21
No. 3 | Mariscal/Arcucci (UTM) def. Gabby Belcher/Aubrey Sheppard (LU) – 21-23, 14-21
No. 4 | Katie Bockhorst/Lexie Schauffler (LU) def. Traiger/Kryak (UTM) – 22-20, 16-21, 17-15
No. 5 | Myah Hough/Kaelyn Putz (LU) def. Phillips/Freund (UTM) – 21-16, 21-18

Next Up
Lindenwood and Chattanooga face off for a spot in the championship final on Friday at 2:00 p.m.