MARTIN, Tenn. - It was anything but straightforward for the No. 1-seeded Chattanooga Beach Volleyball team on Friday in the Semifinals of the OVC Tournament. The Sandy Mocs went to five sets with the No. 2 seed, Lindenwood, but behind two late victories from UTC's top two pairs, Chattanooga won 3-2. That will do just fine for the Blue and Gold, as the win clinches a spot in tomorrow's Championship match. It's the third year in a row UTC will play for the tournament trophy.

Three of the five matches went to three sets, with Chattanooga winning two of those. Also, UTC trailed 2-1 in the match, but as good teams do, the Sandy Mocs found a way to get the job done. It's their third 3-2 win of the year, and they are now 3-2 in five-set matches this season. 

For the season, Chattanooga moves to 23-4 while Lindenwood drops to 18-8. Chattanooga is 11-6 all-time in the OVC Tournament and has won eight straight matches in the event. 

Lindenwood earned the first point of the match in the No. 5 slot, as Mya Hough and Kaelyn Putz took down Chattanooga's Ava Goryl and Madeline McCabe 21-12, 21-11. It was Goryl and McCabe's first loss against OVC opposition this season. 

Taylor Clark and Ashli McKenny bounced back from a defeat yesterday to win a three-set battle with Lexie Schauffler and Katie Bockhorst. The final score in the No. 4 position read 21-15, 21-23, 15-11.

The Lions jumped back ahead with their lone three-set win of the day on Court 3. Aubrey Sheppard and Gabby Belcher handed Ansley Gulledge and Sydney Jackwin a 19-21, 21-19, 15-11 defeat. 

On Court 1, Mckenna Faychak and Maddie Lecik came through with Chattanooga's only straight set win of the match, taking down Nyah Wilson and Susanna Beretti 21-18, 21-16. This tied the match back at two apiece and put all the attention on Court 2. 

With the match on the line, Julia Lawrence and Corina Vale came through when the Sandy Mocs needed them most, defeating Abby Jacobs and Annalie McWhorter 21-13, 21-23, 15-11. In the decisive third set, Lawrence and Vale came back from an early 6-4 deficit to secure the win for themselves and the team. 

Results
1. McKenna Faychak and Maddie Lecik (UTC) def. Nyah Wilson and Suasanna Beretti (LU) 21-18, 21-16
2. Julia Lawrence and Corina Vale (UTC) def. Abby Jacobs and Annalie McWhorter (LU) 21-13, 21-23, 15-11
3. Aubrey Sheppard and Gabby Belcher (LU) def. Ansley Gulledge and Sydney Jackwin (UTC) 19-21, 21-19, 15-11
4. Taylor Clark and Ashli McKenny (UTC) def. Lexie Schauffler and Katie Bockhorst (LU) 21-15, 21-23, 15-11
5. Myah Hough and Kaelyn Putz (LU) def. Ava Goryl and Madeline McCabe (UTC) 21-12, 21-11

Match Notes
Order of finish: 5, 4, 3, 1, 2
Duration: 2:15

Quote
Head Coach Darin Van Horn

"First off I give a lot of credit to Lindenwood. They were ready to play today. They pushed us to the edge. We experienced a lot of new emotions and challenges today. I think we knew at some point in this tournament we would endure a game like this. These teams are hungry and are getting better as the year goes on. I'm grateful we had a lot of returning players to lean on to earn us points at the end. Proud of the group for staying the course and believing even when we weren't at our best. Now it's time to prepare for the championship."

Up Next: Chattanooga plays in the OVC Championship Match at 1 p.m. tomorrow afternoon. It will play the winner of Match 9 in the OVC Tournament, which is scheduled for 9 a.m. and will feature Lindenwood against UT Martin or Morehead State.