APSU Beach Volleyball Drops Matches to South Carolina, Coastal Carolina

The Governors fell 5-0 in both contests on the opening day of the Wheeler Beach Bash tournament.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The Austin Peay State University beach volleyball team lost matches to South Carolina and Coastal Carolina on the first day of the Wheeler Beach Bash tournament in Columbia, South Carolina. APSU was swept 5-0 in both contests, with the team unable to win a single set across the 10 matches played.

Why it matters

This early-season tournament provides valuable experience for the APSU beach volleyball team as they look to build on last year's successful campaign. The losses to ranked opponents South Carolina and Coastal Carolina will help identify areas for improvement ahead of the rest of the season.

The details

In the match against South Carolina, each of the five courts fell in straight sets. Against Coastal Carolina, the No. 3 pairing of Ashley Boswell and Bailey Hope won the first set before ultimately falling in three, while the No. 2 pair of Isabella Russell and Grace Austin fought hard in the first set before losing in two.

  • The matches took place on Friday, February 28, 2026 as part of the opening day of the Wheeler Beach Bash tournament.
  • APSU will face Texas A&M Corpus-Christi at 8:00am and Chattanooga at 2:00pm on Saturday to close out the tournament.

The players

South Carolina

A women's volleyball program that received votes in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association poll.

Coastal Carolina

A women's volleyball program that received votes in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association poll.

Ashley Boswell

An APSU beach volleyball player who competed on the No. 3 court.

Bailey Hope

An APSU beach volleyball player who competed on the No. 3 court with Ashley Boswell.

Isabella Russell

An APSU beach volleyball player who competed on the No. 2 court with Grace Austin.

Grace Austin

An APSU beach volleyball player who competed on the No. 2 court with Isabella Russell.

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What’s next

The Austin Peay State University beach volleyball team will look to bounce back on Saturday with matches against Texas A&M Corpus-Christi and Chattanooga to close out the Wheeler Beach Bash tournament.

The takeaway

While the opening day losses to ranked opponents South Carolina and Coastal Carolina were disappointing, the APSU beach volleyball team will use this early-season tournament experience to identify areas for improvement as they aim to build on last year's successful campaign.