CONWAY, Ark. – The Central Arkansas Beach Bears split their opening day of the UCA Spring Break Invitational on Friday, earning a 4-1 win over Mary Hardin-Baylor before falling 4-1 to UT Martin at the Beach Bear Sand Courts.

UCA opened the day with a strong performance against Mary Hardin-Baylor, winning four of five scoring courts. The top pair of Anna Linskey and Natalie Blum led the way with a hard-fought three-set victory on Court 1 (21-18, 24-26, 15-7).

Madelyn White and Chandler Lawerence added a straight-set win on Court 2 (21-19, 21-15), while Ella Layzell and Brooke Sharp secured another point with a 21-13, 21-19 win on Court 3. After UMHB picked up its lone point on Court 4, Ella Weilert and Reegan Siewert clinched the dual for the Beach Bears with a 21-15, 21-15 victory on Court 5.

In the exhibition match, Emmie Tidwell and Callie Mullins earned a 21-13, 21-14 win to cap off the strong opener.

In the afternoon matchup, the Beach Bears dropped a 4-1 decision to UT Martin. The Skyhawks claimed wins on the top three courts in straight sets to take control of the dual.

UCA's lone point came on Court 4, where Ella Weilert and Allison Heck rallied for a three-set victory (14-21, 21-19, 15-10). UT Martin secured the dual with a win on Court 5, while Tidwell and Mullins closed the day on a high note with a dominant 21-14, 21-8 win in the exhibition match.

The Beach Bears will return to the sand Saturday to continue tournament play, including a Senior Day matchup to close out the weekend.