CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The Central Arkansas Beach Bears put together an impressive showing at the Governors Classic, picking up three victories over the weekend, including two wins over Lindenwood and a hard-fought battle against Austin Peay.
March 7, 2025 – UCA 4, Lindenwood 1
The Beach Bears opened the tournament with a dominant 4-1 victory over Lindenwood. UCA secured wins in four of the five pairings, highlighted by a three-set battle from Anna Linskey and Riley Melton on Court 1, where they outlasted Nyah Wilson and Abby Van Buskirk (22-20, 12-21, 15-10). Madelyn White and Kenzie Foley took care of business in straight sets on Court 2 (21-14, 21-13), while Ella Layzell and Katie Atkinson earned a tight 21-18, 21-18 victory on Court 3. Liliana Irizary and Audrey Cathcart sealed the win with a 21-16, 21-11 triumph on Court 4.
Central Arkansas 4, Lindenwood 1
1. Anna Linskey/Riley Melton (UCA) def. Nyah Wilson/Abby Van Buskirk (LIND) 22-20, 12-21, 15-10
2. Madelyn White/Kenzie Foley (UCA) def. Annalie McWhorter/Abby Jacobs (LIND) 21-14, 21-13
3. Ella Layzell/Katie Atkinson (UCA) def. Katie Bockhorst/Kaelyn Putz (LIND) 21-18, 21-18
4. Liliana Irizary/Audrey Cathcart (UCA) def. Taylor Gentemann/Gabby Belcher (LIND) 21-16, 21-11
5. Rebecca Janke/Aubrey Sheppard (LIND) def. Naya Tan/Reegan Siewert (UCA) 21-16, 17-21, 15-9
6. Sienna King/Jaryn Button (LIND) vs. Emmie Tidwell/Madeline Dickerson (UCA) no result
Match Notes:
Lindenwood 5-4
Central Arkansas 4-5
Governors Classic - Game 2
March 8, 2025 – UCA 3, Lindenwood 2
In a rematch against Lindenwood, the Beach Bears faced a tougher challenge but prevailed 3-2. After dropping the top two flights, UCA's depth proved crucial. Callie Mullins and Katie Atkinson fought through a tense second set on Court 3, securing a 21-18, 26-24 victory. Naya Tan and Reegan Siewert claimed a straight-set win (21-14, 21-19) on Court 4, and Hadley Tully and Liliana Irizary clinched the decisive point with a 21-17, 21-14 win on Court 5.
Central Arkansas 3, Lindenwood 2
1. Nyah Wilson/Abby Van Buskirk (LIND) def. Anna Linskey/Riley Melton (UCA) 21-13, 21-18
2. Annalie McWhorter/Abby Jacobs (LIND) def. Madelyn White/Kenzie Foley (UCA) 21-16, 21-17
3. Callie Mullins/Katie Atkinson (UCA) def. Katie Bockhorst/Kaelyn Putz (LIND) 21-18, 26-24
4. Naya Tan/Reegan Siewert (UCA) def. Taylor Gentemann/Gabby Belcher (LIND) 21-14, 21-19
5. Hadley Tully/Liliana Irizary (UCA) def. Rebecca Janke/Aubrey Sheppard (LIND) 21-17, 21-14
Ext. Ella Weilert/Madeline Dickerson (UCA) vs. Myah Hough/Lexi Menne (LIND) 21-17, 21-17, unfinished
Match Notes:
Governors Classic - Game 5
March 8, 2025 – UCA 3, Austin Peay 2
The Beach Bears capped off their weekend with a gritty 3-2 win over host Austin Peay. Linskey and Melton continued their strong play on Court 1, cruising to a 21-19, 21-13 victory. White and Foley remained undefeated on the weekend, taking Court 2 with a 21-13, 21-19 win. The decisive point came on Court 4, where Tan and Siewert battled through a three-set thriller (22-20, 14-21, 15-13) to secure the Bears' third win of the tournament.
Central Arkansas 3, Austin Peay 2
1. Riley Melton/Anna Linskey (UCA) def. AUSTIN, Grace/MORRIS, Jordan (APSU) 21-19, 21-13
2. Madelyn White/Kenzie Foley (UCA) def. CLARK, Anna Kate/FREEL, Emily (APSU) 21-13, 21-19
3. COOPER, Alyson/BENETEAU, Jordyn (APSU) def. Callie Mullins/Katie Atkinson (UCA) 14-21, 21-14, 15-10
4. Naya Tan/Reegan Siewert (UCA) def. LASATER, Bailey/MACKENZIE, Gabriella (APSU) 22-20, 14-21, 15-13
5. GREENE, Angelena/LOIARS, Emma (APSU) def. Hadley Tully/Liliana Irizary (UCA) 13-21, 21-16, 15-10
Match Notes:
Governors Classic - Game 6
With the victories, Central Arkansas improves 7-5 on the season and will look to carry this energy when they travel to Youngsville, La. to face Southeastern Louisiana, March 14.
