SALISBURY, N.C. --- The Tusculum University women's beach volleyball team dropped its first two matches in South Atlantic Conference action on Friday (Mar. 7), falling to Emmanuel and host Catawba.

Tusculum (1-3, 0-2 SAC) completes the SAC weekend on Saturday (Mar. 8) against Wingate (9:30 a.m.) and Erskine (12:30 p.m.).

Match 1: Emmanuel 4, Tusculum 1
Morgan Willis and Ryann Gallagher continued their perfect start, now at 3-0 together on the season.

The duo were bumped up to the third flight, dominating their Lions' opposition 21-8, 21-15.

Hannah Marsh and Brynn Smith played together for the first time in 2025, falling in the top flight by identical 21-18, 21-18 scores.

Also making their season debut together was Mia Johnson and Sofia Richmond at No. 2. The pairing dropped a 21-12, 21-16 decision.

Landry Tea and Nyah Goss were on the wrong side of a 21-14, 21-14 result at the fourth flight.

In their first match together, Kyla Oppenhuis and Kassidy Mercado pushed the No. 5 flight to a third set, but lost 18-21, 24-22, 6-15.

Match 2: Catawba 3, Tusculum 2
For the first time in program history, the Catawba Indians defeated the Pioneers. Tusculum had won the previous five meetings, dating back to 2021.

All three of TU's losses came in a decisive third set, while both wins were in straight sets.

At the top flight. Marsh and Smith dropped a 21-11, 14-21, 10-15 showing.

The second flight of Willis and Gallagher suffered a 21-12, 17-21, 15-17 loss.

The No. 5 duo of Oppenhuis and Mercado nearly pulled off a comeback but fell 19-21, 21-18, 10-15.

Johnson and Richmond won with ease by scores of 21-12, 21-11.

As the No. 3 pair, Katie Murphy and Goss came away with a 21-17, 21-16 victory.