Ozark, Mo. – The SBU beach volleyball team opened its inaugural season this morning as they competed against McKendree and Oklahoma Wesleyan University. The Bearcats started out the program to a 2-0 start winning both games, only dropping one match the entire time.
 
"I am so proud of how hard the girls have been working and how dialed into what we are doing they are." Said Head Coach Morgan Goodman, "They each played through some adversity and battled! It was a great way to start the season and build confidence! I am looking forward to how the reason of the season will go!"
 
Beach volleyball scoring is as follows: each team puts up five pairs of two that will compete against each other based off how the coach ranks the duo from 5 to 1, spot one being the best pair. Each match is a best-of-3 sets, with the first two sets going to 21 and the third going to 15, win by two. First team to win three matches wins the game.
 
In game 1, the SBU Bearcats swept the other GLVC Bearcats winning 5-0. Julia Becker and Carlee Lill won the first ever point for SBU after coming back from being down 0-1. Shortly after Paityn Kramer and Madison Satterly won the second point for the Bearcats in the third set. It was Bailey Lasater and Azalea Clendenning who clinched the first ever win for Southwest Baptist winning 21-11 and 23-21. Pairs Janel Pido/Ella Rademaker and Katie Pogue/Gabrielle Belcher each on their matches for a perfect 5-0 sweep.
 
In game 2, the Bearcats remained undefeated by defeating the Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles 4-1. SBU saw match wins from Julia Becker/Carlee Lill (21-13 & 21-19), Paityn Kramer/Madison Satterly (21-15 & 21-13), Bailey Lasater/Azalea Clendenning (21-7 & 21-17), and Katie Pogue/Gabrielle Belcher (21-17 & 25-23).