HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Vanguard beach volleyball completed the Golden State Athletic Conference schedule undefeated for the third straight season, but not without a fight on Saturday at the Magnolia Street Beach Courts.

The Lions knocked off No. 4 OUAZ and No. 9 Hope International, going to three sets in six of the 10 total matches. The three-time defending GSAC regular season champions kept intact their 34-match regular season winning streak against GSAC opponents, having not lost since 2020.

No. 2 nationally ranked VU is now 14-1 overall and a perfect 12-0 in GSAC action.

No. 2 Vanguard 4, No. 4 OUAZ 1

The Lions had some clutch play at several positions as they came through in three-set battles.

VU ended up in an early hole at the No. 2 spot as Emma Galloway (SO/Del Mar, CA) and Hannah Wilmes (FR/Thornton, CO) lost their match against Mattea Wilson and Sam Leight, falling 21-18, 21-18.

Bailey Coffin (JR/Tustin, CA) and Madison Arnold (SO/Chatsworth, CA) provided VU its one straight sets victory of the contest, taking down Amanda Carlson and Grace Hughes. VU won at the fours in a tight battle, 21-19, 24-22.

The rest of the match was a dogfight, with all going the distance.

Chloe Knudson (SO/Coeur D' Alene, ID) and Ana Broadhead (FR/Nashville, TN) put VU up 2-1 as the fives pair outlasted Zoey Mohring and Cheyenne Higgins, 21-15, 18-21, 15-11.

The Lions clinched the team win at No. 1, where Conley Harris (SR/Brea, CA) and Morgan Nash (SR/Tucson, AZ) overcame a first-set loss to defeat Olivia Andersh and Livia De Pra, 20-22, 21-9, 15-10.

Madi Nash (SR/Tucson, AZ) and Emilee Hall (SR/Redondo Beach, CA) tangled with Summer Hanks and Dayana Raygoza at the threes, splitting the first two sets, 21-16 and 12-21. The Lion pair dug deep to pull out the 16-14 win in set three.

No. 2 Vanguard 5, No. 9 Hope International 0

The Lions swept the Royals but three of the five contests went the distance,

Galloway and Wilmes flipped the script from their first match and emerged victorious this time, posting a 21-12, 13-21, 15-6 win against Rachel Street and Rachell Miller at the twos.

Coffin and Knudson joined forces at the fours and produced a 21-19, 21-19 triumph over Natalie Ladder and Mara Sanchez.

The match-clinching victory occurred at the ones. Harris and Nash encountered the least resistance on the ladder, defeating Candice Palmer and Taylor Erickson by 21-12, 21-14 scores.

But the Royals kept fighting at the final two spots. Nash and Hall went to three sets, with the VU No. 3 pair taking the 21-13, 13-21, 15-10 win against Cassi Koffroth and Stephanie Perez.

Hailey Petersen (SR/Omaha, NE) and Arnold wrapped up the day with a three-set victory as well, toppling Ariel Garcia and Mariana Turner, 21-13, 19-21, 15-11.

Why Is It Important?: The Lions handled a couple of formidable tests prior to the GSAC Tournament, which VU will be hosting on April 5-6 in Huntington Beach.

What Was Said?: "Great athletes love to be put in the fire," said Head Coach Kris Dorn. "The fire pushes us to a decision to do hard things. That's how we try to practice and that's what was required of us today. We're very thankful to have student-athletes who strive together for excellence. We still have room to grow so there is more adventures to come. Having the third undefeated GSAC regular season in a row is a strong accomplishment but we don't stop here."

What's Next?: The Lions encounter another big test when they host No. 3 Westcliff on Wednesday, March 29 at 10:00 a.m.