GLENDALE, Ariz. – Vanguard beach volleyball concluded a successful season-opening roadtrip with a 3-0 record after knocking off Hope International and host Arizona Christian at Victory Lanes Sports Complex on Saturday.
The Lions, which also defeated The Master's on Friday, have now won 25 straight regular season matches against Golden State Athletic Conference opponents dating back to 2020.
VU has started a season 3-0 for the third straight year.
What Happened?
No. 2 Vanguard 3, Hope International 2
The Lions did not defeat the Royals without a tussle, winning at the top three spots and falling at the bottom two.
The duo of Emma Galloway (SO/Del Mar, CA) and Hannah Wilmes (FR/Thornton, CO) dispatched Rachel Miller and Rachel Street with ease at the two position, winning 21-11, 21-15.
The Royals tied the match at 1-1 with a win at the fours. Natalie Hadder and Mara Sanchez took down Bailey Coffin (JR/Tustin, CA) and Madison Arnold (SO/Chatsworth, CA) by scores of 21-16, 21-18.
Conley Harris (SR/Brea, CA) and Morgan Nash (SR/Tucson, AZ) locked down the ones again, sweeping Candice Palmer and Taylor Erickson 21-14, 21-18 to give the Blue and Gold a 2-1 lead.
The third position proved to be the difference in a three-set marathon. Emilee Hall (SR/Redondo Beach, CA) and Madi Nash (SR/Tucson, AZ) claimed set one easily enough 21-10 against Cassidy Koffroth and Stephanie Perez. But the VU duo got tripped up in the second frame, falling 21-14. That meant the third set was a must win, and the pairs were neck-and-neck for a majority of the set. But the Lions steered clear of the upset and won 16-14 for the clinching third point.
It turned out the point was huge as HIU won at the fives, where Ariel Garcia and Mariana Turner beat Jacqueline Majors (SO/Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) and Chloe Knudson (SO/Coeur D' Alene, ID), 21-23, 21-10, 15-13.
No. 2 Vanguard 5, Arizona Christian 0
VU had an easier time earning the victory against the Firestorm with triumphs at all five positions.
Coffin and Arnold got the Lions off to a good start with a narrow victory at the fours. The VU tandem defeated Anna Kate Clark and Brianna Beckler by scores of 23-21, 21-19.
It took three sets, but Galloway and Wilmes improved to 3-0 on the weekend with a 21-13, 13-21, 15-10 triumph over Brianna Boeckman and Riley Brown.
With the Lions leading 2-0, Majors and Knudson found the win column at the fives and did so in comeback fashion. After dropping the first set 21-18, the VU pair won the final two sets, 21-15, 15-12 against Sydney Shaw and Katy Shockey.
The team victory clinched, the Lions won in straight sets at the final two spots. At No. 3, Hall and Madi Nash opened Amaya Brown and Haley Brown, 21-18, 21-17. Harris and Morgan Nash improved to 3-0 on the weekend with their 21-10, 21-11 win over Railey Dykstra and Misty McCall.
Why Is It Important?: An improved GSAC from top-to-bottom showed in the quality of tests the Lions received in week one, but they managed to continue their monopoly on conference wins.
What Was Said?: "We struggled with some things against Hope International we've been working to incorporate in practice," said Head Coach Kris Dorn. "However, the ladies showed grit in working through it. We know One Way to Play and we're working on cementing that.
"Against ACU, I loved what the ladies brought to this match. Definitive, specific improvements from our first two matches. It was fun to see them put into action. I'm very proud of the work this weekend."
What's Next?: The Lions take on a couple of NCAA Division I opponents next Friday in Bakersfield. They meet CSUN at noon, followed by CSU Bakersfield at 4:00 p.m.
