SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – Streaks and records were never meant to go on forever, so it was only a matter of time before the Vanguard beach volleyball team lost a Golden State Athletic Conference match.
The Lions lost 4-1 at The Master's in the 2024 season opener for both teams on Friday morning at the TMU Beach Volleyball Courts. Vanguard's 34-match regular season winning streak against GSAC opponents came to an abrupt end, the Blue and Gold's first setback in conference play since 2020.
Six returners and six newcomers saw action for the reigning national champions. The Lions had won the seven all-time previous meetings against the Mustangs. But eighth-ranked TMU sprung the upset on the No. 1 Lions.
Newly formed partners Madi Nash and Madison Arnold joined forces at the twos, and opened the match with a straight set 21-17, 21-14 loss to Zoe Yates and Faith Wada.
The Mustangs went up 2-0 at the fours, where Ashlyn Unruh and Violet Avila defeated Bailey Coffin and Kortney Hitt by a 20-22, 21-16, 15-13 score.
TMU clinched the match victory at the fives, as Arianna DeRaffaele and Eleana Niehus knocked off VU newcomers Emily Hon and Logan Daniels, 21-16, 21-16.
After a successful pairing at the twos in 2023, Hannah Wilmes and Emma Galloway vaulted to the top spot in the lineup. The VU tandem got their first win of 2024, downing Evi Yates and Annika Booker in three sets by scores of 21-15, 18-21, 15-10.
The final match took place at the threes – with the third three-setter of the afternoon – and TMU's Breanna Brooks and Isabela Rodriguez outlasted Paige Cutwright and Gianna Pecile, 15-21, 21-18, 15-9.
In an exhibition match, the Lion duo of Ana Broadhead and Reece Fisher overcame a first set loss to defeat Ellie Unruh and Emma Winter in three sets, winning 12-21, 21-19, 15-9.
Why Is It Important?: Only one of the five pairs on last year's national title team remained intact, meaning plenty of growth and improvement is ahead for this year's version of the Blue and Gold.
What Was Said?: "Every experience has some wisdom from which to glean," said Head Coach Kris Dorn. "Despite the result, this was a great way to introduce our philosophy to this new squad. We always love playing The Master's and it was a solid contest where we were tested. We're ready to practice what we learned today!"
What's Next?: The Lions take on Arizona Christian and OUAZ on Friday, February 16 at Scottsdale Ranch Park in Scottsdale, Ariz.
