MOREHEAD, Ky. --- The Tusculum University women's beach volleyball team split its season-opening tri-match held at Morehead State on Tuesday (Mar. 4). TU defeated McKendree to earn head coach Emily Kalmink the victorious debut.

Tusculum (1-1) is set to compete at the first-ever South Atlantic Conference weekend, hosted by Catawba on March 7-8. The Pioneers will face Emmanuel and Catawba on day one at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., respectively.

Match 1: Tusculum 5, McKendree 0
The Pioneers made quick work of the Bearcats, winning all flights in straight sets.

The fifth flight of Kassidy Mercado and Katie Murphy got TU on the board with a 21-8, 21-12 thrashing of their opposites.

Morgan Willis and Ryann Gallagher were next as the fourth pairing rattled off a 21-14, 21-16 decision.

Nyah Goss and Landry Tea held their third flight foes to just 22 points in the 21-7, 21-15 victory, clinching the match win.

At the top flight, Hannah Marsh and Mia Johnson tallied a 21-12, 21-18 triumph.

The number two pair of Sofia Richmond and Brynn Smith finalized the sweep with a 21-19, 21-17 showing.

Match 2: Morehead State 4, Tusculum 1
Willis and Gallagher rounded out their perfect start as the lone point for the Pioneers against the Division I Eagles.

Mercado and Murphy dropped the fifth flight to start the match by scores of 21-15, 21-18.

Willis and Gallagher evened the contest with an identical 21-16, 21-16 victory at the fourth flight.

The third duo of Goss and Tea fell 21-17, 21-13.

The top pair of Marsh and Johnson stumbled 21-16, 21-13.

Richmond and Smith lost 21-16, 21-15 at No. 2 to close out the day.