MALIBU, Calif. – Vanguard fell 5-0 to San Francisco and Boise State on Saturday at the Pepperdine Malibu Invite.
The Lions finished a gauntlet of competition against NCAA Division I teams with five of their last six matches coming against the top level of beach volleyball.
VU is now 4-7 on the season.
Against the Dons, VU scored 17 or more points in five of the 11 sets played. Emma Galloway and Hannah Wilmes took Moorea Wood and Letizia Aquilino to three sets at the ones, falling 21-13, 18-21, 15-9.
Madi Nash and Madison Arnold also battled at the twos, losing 21-19, 21-15 to Jette Morris and McKenna Towne.
At the fours, Bailey Coffin and Kortney Hitt nearly snatched the first set away from Kaydence Stores and Rainie Stevens, but came up just short in a 21-19, 21-12 decision.
The No. 5 pair of Ana Broadhead and Reece Fisher nearly extended their match into a third set, but narrowly missed in a 21-12, 22-20 loss to Francesca Stanschus and Alina Inzunza. The threes also dropped a 21-17, 21-12 match as Paige Cutwright and Logan Daniels could not overcome Rylie Reeves and Branson Lennon.
VU wasn't as successful against the Broncos, which improved to 7-3 on the season. Boise State is receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll.
Cutright and Arnold were paired together at the twos, and they gave a solid account against Lily Patock and Rorianna Chartier with a 21-13, 22-20 result.
Broadhead and Fisher went pretty deep into the second set in their No. 5 match against Elli Wolthuis and Sharli O'Neil, but the Bronco duo took the 21-10, 21-17 victory.
Wilmes and Galloway posted a 21-14, 21-15 loss at the ones against Sierra Land and Marlayna Bullington.
What's Next?: The Lions face two NCAA Division II teams on Friday, March 8 at the OC Great Park. VU meets Cal State Los Angeles at noon and CUI at 2:00 p.m.
