HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – The Vanguard beach volleyball team captured its home opener on Saturday with a 5-0 victory over No. 13 Hope International at the Brookhurst and PCH Courts.
The Lions improved to 4-0 on the season with a win over their Golden State Athletic Conference rival.
Morgan Nash (JR/Tucson, AZ) and Emilee Hall (JR/Redondo Beach, CA) notched Vanguard's first point at the twos, defeating Natalie Harder and Hailee McNamee, 21-9, 21-11. The Lions were tested at the fours, as the duo of Cambria Fernandez (SR/Northridge, CA) and Bailey Coffin (SO/Tustin, CA) rallied past Cassidy Koffroth and Julia Robertson in three sets. The Royals tandem took the first set 21-19, but Fernandez and Coffin recovered nicely and rolled to 21-8 and 15-8 victories in the next two sets.
Vanguard clinched the victory at the ones as Conley Harris (SR/Brea, CA) and Natalie Escher (SR/Redlands, CA) took down Stephanie Perez and Candice Palmer by 21-12, 21-8 scores.
With the match in hand, Hally Herder (JR/Highlands Ranch, CO) and Madison Arnold (FR/Chatsworth, CA) polished off a 21-10, 21-12 win over Elizabeth Thomas and Alexis Flores at the fives. The final point came from the No. 3 pair of Carly McKinney (SR/Mission Viejo, CA) and Emma Galloway (FR/Del Mar, CA). That Lion tandem dispatched Mara Sanchez and Naomi Ruiz, battling to a 21-10, 21-19 victory.
Why Is It Important?: The second-ranked Lions have now defeated four GSAC opponents to start the season and have not dropped a match.
What Was Said?: "It's beautiful to perform well on your 'home turf' with so many loved ones there to watch," said Head Coach Kris Dorn. "This group of young women are talented and driven. Can't wait to see how we are tested next...and how we adjust."
What's Next?: The Lions will tackle a trio of Division I opponents in Bakersfield next weekend. They will play host CSU Bakersfield, Pacific and Pepperdine in a tripleheader on Friday, February 25.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
February 19, 2022
Huntington Beach, Calif. (Brookhurst & PCH Courts)
No. 2 Vanguard 5, No. 13 Hope International 0
1. Conley Harris/Natalie Escher (VU) def. Stephanie Perez/Candice Palmer (HIU) 21-12, 21-8
2. Morgan Nash/Emilee Hall (VU) def. Natalie Hadder/Hailee McNamee (HIU) 21-9, 21-11
3. Carly McKinney/Emma Galloway (VU) def. Mara Sanchez/Naomi Ruiz (HIU) 21-10, 21-19
4. Cambria Fernandez/Bailey Coffin (VU) def. Cassidy Koffroth/Julia Robertson (HIU) 19-21, 21-8, 15-8
5. Hally Herder/Madison Arnold (VU) def. Elizabeth Thomas/Alexis Flores (HIU) 21-10, 21-12
Order of finish: 2, 4, 1, 5, 3
