HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – The Vanguard beach volleyball team improved to 5-0 in Golden State Athletic Conference play after sweeping No. 11 Arizona Christian on Friday morning at the Brookhurst and PCH Courts. The match started the second leg of the GSAC Rounds.
The top-ranked Lions moved to 6-2 overall, while the Firestorm dropped to 4-4 and 2-3 in GSAC action.
What Happened?: Vanguard lost just one set among the five positions and are 50-3 overall in sets won-loss in its five GSAC matches.
Morgan Nash (JR/Tucson, AZ) and Vashti Elias Romero (JR/Redlands, CA) got the Lions on the board at the twos. The VU duo earned a 21-14, 21-6 victory against Misty McCall and Amaya Brown. The Lions took control with another win at the threes, as reigning GSAC Pair of the Month Carly McKinney (SR/Mission Viejo, CA) and Emma Galloway (FR/Del Mar, CA) rolled to a 21-7, 21-6 win against Bailey Dykstra and Sydney Shaw.
The Lions clinched the win at the ones, where Conley Harris (SR/Brea, CA) and Natalie Escher (SR/Redlands, CA) prevailed over Aubri Green and Brianna Boeckman, 21-13, 21-12.
The new No. 4 pair of Madison Arnold (FR/Chatsworth, CA) and Hally Herder (JR/Highlands Ranch, CO) put the Lions up 4-0 in the match with their triumph over CeAirra Bowman and Anna Kate Clark. Set scores went 21-15, 21-14.
Cambria Fernandez (SR/Northridge, CA) and Bailey Coffin (SO/Tustin, CA) went to three sets at the fives to dispatch their Firestorm counterparts. They downed Delaney Gill and Jenna Oakley by scores of 21-6, 17-21, 15-8.
In an exhibition match at No. 6, the freshman pair of Chloe Knudson (FR/Coeur D' Alene, ID) and Jacqueline Majors (FR/Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) defeated Sandra Zepeda and Dyanna Avila, 21-10, 21-5.
Why Is It Important?: The Lions continue to play well with more GSAC competition coming up. Nash and Elias Romero are 5-1 together at the twos this season.
What Was Said?: "It was a gorgeous day and we got to play around with some wind as well," said Head Coach Kris Dorn. "ACU is a tough opponent and it showed. We love challenges and I believe we're still finding our next level of play."
What's Next?: Vanguard takes on two more opponents on Saturday as part of the GSAC Round. The Lions square off against No. 4 The Master's at 11:00 a.m., followed by No. 18 Life Pacific at 2:00 p.m.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
March 4, 2022
Huntington Beach, Calif. (Brookhurst & PCH Courts)
No. 1 Vanguard 5, No. 11 Arizona Christian 0
1. Conley Harris/Natalie Escher (VU) def. Aubri Green/Brianna Boeckman (ACU) 21-13, 21-12
2. Morgan Nash/Vashti Elias Romero (VU) def. Misty McCall/Amaya Brown (ACU) 21-14, 21-6
3. Carly McKinney/Emma Galloway (VU) def. Railey Dykstra/Sydney Shaw (ACU) 21-7, 21-6
4. Madison Arnold/Hally Herder (VU) def. CeAirra Bowman/Anna Kate Clark (ACU) 21-15, 21-14
5. Cambria Fernandez/Bailey Coffin (VU) def. Delaney Gill/Jenna Oakley (ACU) 21-6, 17-21, 15-8
Order of finish: 2, 3, 1, 4, 5
