HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Vanguard University took on its second set of opponents during spring break, this time playing host to Cal State Los Angeles and Missouri State University in a tri-match on the Lions home sand. History was made as the Vanguard Lions captured their first program win in 4-1 fashion over the Golden Eagles. The outing marked the sixth pair of matches for the Blue and Gold which features 13 playing dates in all.

Vanguard 4, Cal State LA 1

Vanguard's top pairing of Kayla Tinker (JR/San Clemente, CA) and Gabby Morrison (FR/Paso Robles, CA) fought hard taking home the 21-16 and 21-12 victory. Over on court two, the Lions duo of Hannah Holder (SO/Irvine, CA) and Kelli Dowell (JR/Redlands, CA) captured a 21-14 and 21-15 win. The third set of partners, Dani Erdelatz (SO/Stockton, CA) and Charity Dennis (JR/Cypress, CA) walked off the sand with 21-11 and 21-8 margins, assuring the Blue and Gold their first program win. On court four, Karly Cantu (SO/Spokane, WA) and Eliana Johnson (FR/Scottsdale, AZ) ended with nearly identical 21-12 and 21-11 wins. The pairing of Karli Burk (FR/Yucaipa, CA) and Mackenzie Mitchell (FR/Costa Mesa, CA) – who played together for the first time – fell 12-21 in the opening set before pushing hard into extra points and ultimately falling 21-23.

"We are very proud of the improvements that these ladies have made over the course of our first season.  Our goals are to live in the moment & build small successes," remarked head coach Kris Dorn. "This weekend we were fortunate to make history by earning enough small successes to equal victory.  It's still new for us, but we also don't want to overlook this milestone in our fairly new history."

Missouri State 3, Vanguard 2

Tinker and Morrison continued their strong stretch of play and forced the matched into the decisive third set before besting the opposition 19-21, 21-19, 15-9. Holder and Dowell fell on the wrong side of 8-21 and 13-21 counts. Erdelatz and Dennis captured the victory in their pairing by 21-18 and 21-11 scores, finsihing the day 2-0 overall. Cantu and Johnson fought hard in the first frame barely losing 19-21 before being topped 14-21 in the second set. In their second match together, Burk and Mitchell were defeated 9-21 and 12-21.

Next Match: Thursday, March 22nd att Long Beach State and University of Washington at 12:45 and 2:30 p.m.

-GOLD PRIDE-