Austin Peay Beach Volleyball Sweeps Grand Sands Tournament

Governors set program records in season-opening wins over Tusculum and Liberty

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Austin Peay State University (APSU) beach volleyball team closed the Grand Sands Tournament with a pair of wins, beating Tusculum 3-2 and Liberty 4-1. The Governors set a pair of program records, with 27 sets won being the most by an APSU team in the opening weekend of a season, and Isabella Russell posting a 3-1 record, the best mark by an APSU freshman in the opening weekend.

Why it matters

The strong start to the season for the APSU beach volleyball team showcases the program's continued growth and competitiveness, building on last year's success. The records set highlight the depth and talent of the Governors' roster, which will be crucial as they take on tougher competition in the weeks ahead.

The details

Against Tusculum, the pairs of Alyson Cooper/Jordyn Beneteau, Grace Austin/Isabella Russell, and Bailey Hope/Ashley Boswell earned wins to clinch the 3-2 victory. In the match against Liberty, APSU swept the opening wave with wins by Cooper/Beneteau and Addi Hultquist/Aubreigh Oswald. Cami Missig/Emma Loiars and Austin/Russell also picked up wins to secure the 4-1 triumph.

  • The Grand Sands Tournament took place on Saturday, February 22, 2026.
  • The APSU beach volleyball team next heads to the Wheeler Beach Bash in Columbia, South Carolina on February 27-28, 2026.

The players

Isabella Russell

An APSU freshman who posted a 3-1 record, the best mark by an APSU freshman in the opening weekend of a season.

Alyson Cooper

One half of the pair that earned the Govs' first win of the day and their first win of the season on the No. 2 court.

Jordyn Beneteau

One half of the pair that earned the Govs' first win of the day and their first win of the season on the No. 2 court.

Grace Austin

One half of the pair that added a two-set win on No. 1 court against Tusculum.

Bailey Hope

One half of the pair that clinched the match for Austin Peay State University with a two-set win on the No. 3 court against Tusculum.

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What they’re saying

“27 sets won being the most by an APSU team in the opening weekend of a season, and Isabella Russell posting a 3-1 record, which is the best mark by an APSU freshman in the opening weekend of a season.”

— News Staff (clarksvilleonline.com)

What’s next

The Austin Peay State University beach volleyball team hits the road for South Carolina's Wheeler Beach Bash, February 27th-28th, in Columbia, South Carolina. The Govs open the weekend against South Carolina and Coastal Carolina, Friday, before taking on Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Chattanooga, Saturday.

The takeaway

The strong start to the season for the APSU beach volleyball team demonstrates the program's continued growth and competitiveness, setting new program records and showcasing the depth of talent on the roster. As the Governors head to the Wheeler Beach Bash, they will look to build on this momentum and take on tougher competition in the weeks ahead.