The UCA beach volleyball team began its 2026 season with intense competition going 2-2 for the weekend at the Missouri State Tournament on Feb. 20 and 21.
Spanning across two days, the Bears competed in dual-teamed matches on different sand courts.
The Bears first competitors were against the McKendree Bearcats from Illinois on Friday, Feb. 20.
Beginning at 1 p.m., the Bears lost their first set of five but came back and finished with a 4-1 victory leading to a successful opening.
Senior, Anna Linskey, joined forces with graduate student, Anna
Jaworski.
They dominated a 21-9 match for the Bears on court two.
The Bears next victory was against McKendree where they controlled the court and came out with a 21-7 win for the third court.
“Madelyn White and Allison Heck delivered a momentum-swinging comeback at No. 3, rebounding from an opening-set loss to win 11-21, 21-0, 15-12,” UCA Sports said.
Freshman Brooke Sharp and junior Chandler Lawrence won their matches (21-19, 21-13).
Match number 5 with Junior Ella Weilert and sophomore Reegan Siewert finished with 21-12 and 21-11 victories.
After their win against McKendree, the Bears challenged Eastern Illinois later that evening at 5 p.m.
All five of the Bears courts won against Eastern Illinois, each in three sets.
“[Freshman] Natalie Blum and [sophomore] Ella Layzell picked up a three-set win at No. 1 (21-10, 21-23, 15-11). Linskey and Jaworski remained unbeaten on the day at No. 2 (21-19, 16-21, 15-10), while White and Heck secured another three-set victory at No. 3 (21-17, 13-21, 15-8),” UCA Sports said.
In Sharp and Lawrence’s duel, they won court four with a straight-set victory while Weilert and Siewert swept the fifth court, closing up Friday’s matches for Friday.
The Bears took on the Saturday matches as they played against Lindenwood losing 1-4 as well as the tournament’s host, Missouri State, losing 0-5.
“Sharp and Lawrence earned the lone point at No. 4 in straight sets (21-14, 21-18). Lindenwood claimed the remaining four courts in straight sets to take the dual,” UCA Sports said.
Finishing out the weekend on Saturday against the home team and host, Missouri State, the Beach Bears dueled in many close sets but ended with a final of 0-5.
Match number four was played by Sharp and Lawrence where they fought to three sets but ended up closing to a final of 21-16, 16-21, 15-12.
White and Heck had a close first set as well finishing with a score of 22-20 but Missouri State closed in straight sets for the win.
The UCA Beach Bears ended their opening weekend matches at 2-2 and will grow this success as their season heats up and they play in Missouri again as they go head-to-head with teams in the Beach Bear Bash in Ozark.
The opening weekend offers a way to kick off the season and develop growth within the team’s relationship and victories before the real season begins.
The Bears are setting up to demonstrate consistency and strength across all five courts as they play in their season ahead.
With a mix of experienced returners and new additions, UCA will look to establish consistency across all five courts and set the tone for the season ahead.
Fans can stay updated at UCA Sports as they continue the rest of their spring season.
