MONTGOMERY, Ala. - On Friday, the East Texas Baptist University Women's Beach Volleyball team opened the 2025 year with a thrilling match over LaGrange College, 3-2. This match marked a significant milestone as it was the first season opening win in program history.
In the first doubles match, the Tigers' duo of Brooke Nalley and Sierra Wendt faced a challenging battle against their opponents. They won the first set 21-19 but fell in the second set 24-22 Unfortunately, they fell short in the deciding set, losing 24-21.
 
The second doubles match featured Kyleigh Pate and Taylor Parker, who started strong by taking the first set 21-19. They then won the first point for ETBU taking the second set, 21-9.
 
In the third match, Bella Fields and Sofia Castillo displayed excellent teamwork. They won the first set 21-12, but LaGrange fought back to take set two, 21-17, and the deciding set, 15-10.
 
The fourth doubles match saw Emily Thomas and Timberlin Ste. Marie win the third point of the match. They swept in two sets, 21-17, and 21-16.
 
The final doubles match was a nail-biter, with Kaiya Haase and Camille Freeman representing the Tigers. The pair narrowly lost the first set 21-19, came back strong to win the second 21-10, and the match.
 
ETBU played four matches overall at the Hungtingdon College Beach Classic going 1-3. After the win over LaGrange, they fell to Truett McConnell, 5-0, Huntingdon College, 4-1, and the University of Mobile, 5-0. 

---

ETBU 3, LaGrange 2
1. Kaitlin Gilchrist/Julia Damico (LGC) def. Brooke Nalley/Sierra Wendt (ETBU) 19-21, 24-22, 24-21
2. Kyleigh Pate/Taylor Parker (ETBU) def. Meredith Orton/Zentrina Choice (LGC) 21-19, 21-9
3. Ella Kahikina/Claire Titus (LGC) def. Bella Fields/Sofia Castillo (ETBU) 12-21, 21-17, 15-10
4. Emily Thomas/Timberlin Ste. Marie (ETBU) def. Rebecca Miranda/Emma Campbell (LGC) 21-17, 21-16
5. Kaiya Haase/Camille Freeman (ETBU) def. Courtney Mullen/Britney Chavez (LGC) 21-19, 21-10
 

---

Truett McConnell 5, ETBU 0
1. Emma Boland/Jordan Roberts (TMU) def. Brooke Nalley/Sierra Wendt (ETBU) 21-13, 21-16
2. Deomi Valmus/Nadia Lulinski (TMU) def. Kyleigh Pate/Taylor Parker (ETBU) 21-16, 21-15
3. Elizabeth Franklin/Kaleigh McFarland (TMU) def. Bella Fields/Sofia Castillo (ETBU) 21-12, 21-15
4. Camille Godfrey/Rachel Kessler (TMU) def. Emily Thomas/Timberlin Ste. Marie (ETBU) 21-19, 21-19
5. Sameily Marquez/Macy Boggs (TMU) def. Kaiya Haase/Camille Freeman (ETBU) 21-16, 21-14
 

---

Huntingdon 4, ETBU 1
1. Ariel Helmick/Veronica Tikhomirova (HC) def. Brooke Nalley/Sierra Wendt (ETBU) 21-16, 10-21, 15-7
2. Ashlen Janowski/Izzy Valldeperas (HC) def. Kyleigh Pate/Taylor Parker (ETBU) 21-11, 21-6
3. Eva Ellenburg/Jessi Hilyer (HC) def. Sofia Castillo/Bella Fields (ETBU) 21-6, 21-10
4. Emily Thomas/Timberlin Ste. Marie (ETBU) def. Jenna Duppe/Lily VanDyke (HC) 18-21, 21-19, 15-6
5. Carryne Chancey/Morgan Suggs (HC) def. Kaiya Haase/Camille Freeman (ETBU) 21-17, 19-21, 15-11
 

---

Mobile (AL) 5, ETBU 0
1. Layton Adams/Aspen Adamas (UOM) def. Brooke Nalley/Sierra Wendt (ETBU) 22-20, 21-17
2. Lexi Gillette/Daszsha Middleton (UOM) def. Kyleigh Pate/Taylor Parker (ETBU) 21-16, 21-10
3. Sofia Castillo/Bella Fields (ETBU) def. Gabby Sheffield/Emma Hampton (UOM) 9-21, 22-20, 15-5
4. Emily Osborne/Elyssa Messick (UOM) def. Emily Thomas/Timberlin Ste. Marie (ETBU) 21-10, 21-13
5. Jaci Drinnon/Rachel Dunaway (UOM) def. Kaiya Haase/Rylee Crook (ETBU) 21-9, 21-7