LONG BEACH, Calif. - The Lions (1-5) continue to grind through a difficult part of their early season schedule, squaring off against NCAA Division I Long Beach State (2-0) and NCAA Division II Concordia University - Irvine (3-1). Vanguard returns back to playing NAIA foes for the next six contests.
Long Beach State 5, Vanguard 0
Makenzie Griffin and Alice Pratesi earned the first pairing victory with a straight set win over Eliana Johnson (JR/Scottsdale, AZ) and Karly Cantu, 21-7. 21-8. The No. 5 pairing of Emily Mattoon and Jillian Rodriguez followed shortly after defeating the Lions 21-8, 21-7.Tyler Spriggs and Mari Molina clinched the team win with 21-15, 21-13 counts over Gabby Morrison (JR/Paso Robles, CA) and Conley Harris (SO/Brea, CA) on Court One. The sweep was secured as Pairs Two and Three took a set off LBSU but were bested in the decisive third set.
Concordia 4, Vanguard 1
The first pair to go final was Kya Bock and Cambria Fernandez defeating Emilee Hall (FR/Redondo Beach, CA) and Sydney Irwin (FR/Moorpark, CA) 21-11, 21-16 in the matchup of 5's. Cantu and Johnson fought to tight 21-18, 21-17 scores against Mia Corippo and Nickie Hughes. The victory was assured as Alexis Dirige and Shannon Evans bested Shay Piper (JR/Elizabeth, CO) and Kayla Tinker (SR/San Clemente, CA) 21-19, 21-10. Vanguard took home the victory on Court Two as Kolby Bird (JR/San Diego, CA) and Kelli Dowell (SR/Redlands, CA) walked off with 21-16 and 21-19 wins. The battle of the top pairings went the distance as Harris and Morrison took set two by a 21-13 margin but fell 21-19 and 21-19 in the first and third frames. In the exhibition matchup, Karli Burk and Mackenzie Mitchell (JR/Costa Mesa, CA) lost 21-16, 21-13.
Next Match: Friday, Feburary 28th at 4:00 p.m. against The Master's University
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