BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Vanguard beach volleyball team played a trio of Division I opponents on Friday at the 'Runner Invite, defeating Pacific by a 3-2 score and registering several impressive performances in a pair of losses.
The Lions are now 5-2 on the season.
Vanguard also fell 4-1 to host CSUB Bakersfield and 5-0 to Pepperdine in a busy day at the Barnes Beach Volleyball Complex.
The Lions won at the top three positions to take down the Tigers. Conley Harris (SR/Brea, CA) and Natalie Escher (SR/Redlands, CA) posted a 21-15, 21-19 victory against Sammie Sheppard and Jenny Todd at the ones.
Morgan Nash (JR/Tucson, AZ) and Vashti Elias Romero (JR/Redlands, CA) won by identical 21-13, 21-13 scores at the twos versus Rachel Mueller and Brooklyn Thomas.
At the threes, Carly McKinney (SR/Mission Viejo, CA) and Emma Galloway (FR/Del Mar, CA) gritted out a straight set win, going extra points in the second set. The Lion duo toppled Hania Taduran and Lucy Carpenter, 21-16, 27-25.
The Lions competed well in the No. 4 and No. 5 pair contests. Cambria Fernandez (SR/Northridge, CA) and Bailey Coffin (SO/Tustin, CA) dropped the first set against their Tiger counterparts 21-13, but made it tough in the second set with a 28-26 loss. Meanwhile, Hally Herder (JR/Highlands Ranch, CO) and Madison Arnold (FR/Chatsworth, CA) went to three sets against Megan Nishimura and Shahrzad Sadeghi, falling 18-21, 21-18, 15-13.
Against CSU Bakersfield, the Lions picked up a point at the twos when Nash and Emilee Hall (JR/Redondo Beach, CA) outlasted Sophia Hladyniuk and Hana Makonova, 23-21, 21-19.
The Lions contended at the threes, where McKinney and Galloway scraped and clawed but ultimately dropped a 13-21, 21-9, 15-12 decision to Paige Calvin and Hayley McCluskey.
Vanguard faced its toughest opponent of the afternoon in Pepperdine, ranked No. 14 in the 2022 AVCA Collegiate Beach Preseason Coaches Poll for NCAA Division I.
The Lions were not intimidated whatsoever and pushed the Waves in at least one set at all five positions.
Vanguard planted the biggest scare at the ones and the threes.
Harris and Escher hung tough with Melanie Paul and Madison Shields, but the Wave tandem prevailed 24-22, 21-13 at the top spot.
The No. 3 pair of Cameron Baklenko and Rio Frohoff also were forced into playing extra points, ultimately defeating Galloway and McKinney 23-21, 21-16.
Nash and Elias Romero flirted with victory in set two against Pepperdine's twos, but fell 21-10, 21-18 to McKenna Thomas and Simone Priebe.
Why Is It Important?: The Lions, ranked No. 1 in the NAIA, contended with three quality Division I opponents and more than held their own.
What Was Said?: "This was a long but incredibly fruitful day. It was so much fun to see our ladies battle three prominent teams," said Head Coach Kris Dorn. "We're very proud of our progress and look forward to the next challenge. Character is revealed when we're exhausted and we love the direction we're headed."
What's Next?: Vanguard hosts the second leg of the GSAC Round at the Huntington Beach Courts off Brookhurst and Pacific Coast Highway. The Lions welcome No. 10 Arizona Christian on Friday, March 4 at 9:00 a.m. They also play No. 5 The Master's and No. 18 Life Pacific on Saturday, March 5 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
February 25, 2022
Bakersfield, Calif. (Barnes Beach Volleyball Complex)
CSU Bakersfield 4, No. 1 Vanguard 1
1. Cameron Solberg/Milica Vukobrat (CSUB) def. Conley Harris/Natalie Escher (VU) 21-8, 21-15
2. Morgan Nash/Emilee Hall (VU) def. Sophia Hladyniuk/Hana Makonova (CSUB) 23-21, 21-19
3. Paige Calvin/Hayley McCluskey (CSUB) def. Carly McKinney/Emma Galloway (VU) 13-21, 21-9, 15-12
4. Anna Unke/Brooke Boiseau (CSUB) def. Cambria Fernandez/Bailey Coffin (VU) 21-9, 21-13
5. Caroline Benke/Megan Gilbert (CSUB) def. Hally Herder/Madison Arnold (VU) 21-8, 21-10
No. 1 Vanguard 3, Pacific 2
1. Conley Harris/Natalie Escher (VU) def. Sammie Sheppard/Jenny Todd (PAC) 21-15, 21-19
2. Morgan Nash/Vashti Elias Romero (VU) def. Rachel Mueller/Brooklynn Thomas (PAC) 21-13, 21-13
3. Carly McKinney/Emma Galloway (VU) def. Hania Taduran/Lucy Carpenter (PAC) 21-16, 27-25
4. Darina Kuminova/Francheska Aguilar (PAC) def. Cambria Fernandez/Bailey Coffin (VU) 21-13, 28-26
5. Megan Nishimura/Shahrzad Sadeghi (PAC) def. Hally Herder/Madison Arnold (VU) 18-21, 21-18, 15-13
Pepperdine 5, No. 1 Vanguard 0
1. Melanie Paul/Madison Shields (PEP) def. Conley Harris/Natalie Escher (VU) 24-22, 21-13
2. McKenna Thomas/Simone Priebe (PEP) def. Morgan Nash/Vashti Elias Romero (VU) 21-10, 21-18
3. Cameron Baklenko/Rio Frohoff (PEP) def. Emma Galloway/Carly McKinney (VU) 23-21, 21-16
4. Juju Quintero/Mary Sinclair (PEP) def. Cambria Fernandez/Bailey Coffin (VU) 21-18, 21-13
5. Kate Clermont/Jordon Benoit (PEP) def. Hally Herder/Madison Arnold (VU) 21-9, 21-16
