PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. – Vanguard inched closer to capturing its first national title after posting victories over OUAZ and Westcliff at the 2023 NAIA Women's Beach Volleyball Invitational on Friday.
The Lions (20-5) entered bracket play as the No. 2 seed from Pool B. As the Pool B runner-up, the Lions were tasked with beating OUAZ, the No. 3 seed from Pool A. The Lions defeated the Spirit for the fifth time this season, playing to decision in a 3-1 victory.
That set up a semifinal showdown against Westcliff, which emerged as the Pool A winner after going 2-0 on Thursday. The top-seeded Warriors handed VU a 5-0 defeat back on March 29.
This time around, the Lions repaid the favor. VU won at the top three positions to take the 3-2 victory and advance to Saturday's championship match.
For the second straight season, VU will face Corban for the national title. The Lions hope to avenge their loss to the Warriors in the 2022 finals.
The Lions played a number of tight matches with the ones and twos going undefeated on the day.
No. 2 Vanguard 3, No. 3 OUAZ 1
There's an adage that essentially says it is hard to beat any team three times in one season. It might be said then that it's excruciatingly difficult to defeat a time four times in the same campaign.
It must be downright impossible to win five times against a single opponent.
Check. Check. And check. The Lions moved to 5-0 against their Golden State Athletic Conference brethren with a 3-1 triumph.
It wasn't easy, as the Lions were involved in a number of tight matches.
Down one set at the ones, Conley Harris and Morgan Nash fought back to overtake Olivia Andersh and Livia DePra, winning by scores of 10-21, 21-9, 15-12. The Blue and Gold No. 1 duo improved to 18-6 on the year.
Emma Galloway and Hannah Wilmes captured a straight sets victory at the twos, downing Summer Hanks and Sam Leight, 21-15, 21-14.
The third Lion pair to win was at the fives, where Chloe Knudson and Ana Broadhead upended Sam Baer and Madison Wampler in straight sets. VU won in tight fashion, taking the first set 21-19 before taking extra points to finish off the Spirit duo 23-21 in the second set.
OUAZ picked up points at the threes and fours. Dayana Raygoza and Mattea Wilson took down Madi Nash and Emilee Hall, 21-17, 22-20, at No. 3.
Once the Lions clinched the win, the match at the fours was abandoned with both teams tied at a set apiece. Bailey Coffin and Madison Arnold won the first set 22-20, and lost the second 21-13 against Amanda Carlson and Grace Hughes.
No. 2 Vanguard 3, No. 1 Westcliff 2
The Lions advanced to the semifinals against the nation's No. 1 team. Westcliff swept the Lions 5-0 in the initial March 29 matchup, although the Lions had won the first set at four of the five positions.
VU made the necessary adjustments to pick up the three points for the win.
The top of the VU lineup came through in a big way as Harris and Morgan Nash eked out a 21-19, 21-19 victory over Marine Kinna and Fiona Moesching at the ones.
Galloway and Wilmes held strong at No. 2, earning a 21-16, 21-14 triumph over Gianna Guinasso and Mia Scheepens.
In another tightly contested matchup, the Lions won an epic battle at the threes as Madi Nash and Hall were 22-20, 21-19 victors over Sabrina Galassi and Maddie Shepston.
The Warriors pulled out a win at the fours, with Faith Webb and Luise Palenczat skating by Coffin and Arnold by 21-19, 21-18 scores.
Brooke Schedule and Serena Comer handed VU a loss at the fives, taking down Knudson and Broadhead, 21-18, 21-15.
Why Is It Important?: The Lions posted their second consecutive 20-win season after capturing a school record 22 wins in 2022.
What Was Said?: "We are SO PUMPED to be heading into the Championship," exclaimed Head Coach Kris Dorn. "Today was a day where our ladies made great adjustments during each match. The road is tough but the heart is strong."
What's Next?: Vanguard and Corban meet for the title on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. PT. The Warriors defeated Webber International, 3-2, in the other semifinal matchup.
