Tweet #LOYALandTRUE   |  Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)

CHARLESTON, Ill. - Eastern Illinois beach volleyball (1-5, 0-4 OVC) won their first dual match in program history as they defeated the McKendree Bearcats (0-10) by a final score of 3-2. Not only was it the first win in school history, but it marked the first win at home at Sister City Park.

The number five pairing of Emily Wilcox and Ella Collins got the ball rolling with a three set victory on court one. The duo dropped the first set by a score of 18-21 but bounced back in the final two to earn the first point of the match. The final scores were: 18-21, 21-17 and 15-13.

Eastern Illinois kept the momentum going as the number four duo of Kate Dean and Catalina Rochaix took care of business in three sets with scores of 21-23, 21-16 and 15-7. Despite being down early, Dean and Rochaix battled back and took control of the match by winning by eight points in set three.

It didn't take long for the Panthers to earn their first win ever on Tuesday as Christina Martinez Mundo and Tori Mohesky won the final point in the number two pair. Mundo and Mohesky made quick work of their opponent by winning in two sets with scores of 21-14 and 21-18.

The final two duals of the afternoon both went into three sets. The No. 3 pair of Lilli Amettis and Giovana Larregui Lopez battled throughout the day on the sand but fell by scores of 21-14, 19-21 and 11-15.

Kaitlyn Flynn and Sylvia Hasz also went to three sets in the final duo of the meet in the number one group as they would fall by scores of 18-21, 21-15 and 10-15.

FINAL SCORES
No. 1 MCK Maddie Minsner/Michelle Ramirez 2 - EIU Kaitlyn Flynn/Sylvia Hasz 2 (18-21, 21-15, 10-15)
No. 2 EIU Christina Martinez Mundo/Tori Mohesky 2 - MCK Lauren McCurley/Amber Williams  0 (21-14, 21-18)
No. 3 MCK Jessica Hickel/Hanna Parisio 2  - EIU Giovana Larregui Lopez/Lilli Amettis 1 (21-14, 21-19, 11-15)
No. 4 EIU Kate Dean/Catalina Rochaix 2 - MCK Kloi Karban/Brynne Lubbers 1 (21-13, 21-16, 15-7)
No. 5 EIU Emily Wilcox/Ella Collins 2 - MCK Megan Diercks/Brooke Junker 1 (18-21, 21-17, 15-13)

The Panthers will be back in action on Sunday, Apr. 2 as they host Ohio Valley Conference newcomer Lindenwood for a match at Sister City Park. For more updates fo to eiupanthers.com.