HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – The Vanguard beach volleyball team has been knocking on the proverbial door, watching it slam shut over the last several weeks. The Lions busted through that door to kick off day one of the Golden State Athletic Conference Championship, fending off the tournament's top two seeds on a cold and windy Friday at the Brookhurst and PCH Courts.
The Lions dealt No. 1 seed OUAZ and No. 2 seed Arizona Christian back-to-back 3-2 losses – one by reverse sweep – to wind up in the championship match, one step away from capturing their fourth consecutive tournament title.
VU entered the tournament having lost seven in a row, including four times by 3-2 scores. Two of those losses came to OUAZ and Arizona Christian on March 15 in Santa Clarita. VU's threes, fours and fives lost pairs matches to both opponents.
The threes and fives helped fourth-seeded VU slip past the nation's top-ranked Spirit, while the fours played a pivotal role in upending the Firestorm.
What Happened?
#4 Vanguard 3, #1 OUAZ 2
The Lions have lost several matches this season where tightly knit battles did not work in their favor, and that seemed to be the case when Bailey Coffin and Logan Daniels dropped a tough 22-20, 21-19 decision to Dayana Raygoza and Shea Marovich at the fours.
Things got even trickier as the Spirit took a 2-0 lead with a three-set win at the twos. Olivia Andersh and Mattea Wilson held off Madi Nash and Madison Arnold, winning the first set 24-22 before succumbing in set two by a 21-16 score. However, the Spirit tandem captured the deciding set by a 15-13 score.
Playing together for just the third time this season, Kortney Hitt and Ana Broadhead posted a huge 21-19, 21-15 win at the fives, taking down OUAZ's Leah John and Gabriela Corrales.
The win breathed confidence into the Lions, giving Paige Cutwright and Gianna Pecile an opening at the threes. The Lion duo earned an impressive 21-14, 21-15 triumph over Grace Hughes and Amanda Carlson.
That turned attention to the deciding match as the No. 1 pairs clashed. Hannah Wilmes and Emma Galloway swept Summer Hanks and Diana Enriquez in a 21-14, 21-17 decision as the Lions dog piled to celebrate an emotional victory in a two-hour match.
#4 Vanguard 3, #2 Arizona Christian 2
VU advanced to the winner's bracket to square off against the NAIA's third-ranked Firestorm. The two teams fought to their third straight 3-2 decision this season, with the Blue and Gold coming out on top for the second time.
Coffin and Daniels battled point-for-point once again, but this time got VU out to a 1-0 lead. It was a huge win as the duo won for the first time in nine tries this season, getting a 21-18, 24-22 decision over Sydney Shaw and Brianna Boeckman.
The Lions looked to be in solid shape as the twos put the hosts up 2-0. Nash and Arnold turned the tables after their loss to their OUAZ rivals, downing the ACU sister pair of Haley Brown and Riley Brown by 21-13, 21-19 scores.
But the Firestorm did not fall easily – and the fives proved their mettle with Amaya Brown and Emily Katzer claiming a 13-21, 21-15, 15-11 win over Hitt and Broadhead.
VU doused any ideas of being victimized by the reverse sweep as Wilmes and Galloway won for the second time on the day, taking the first set 21-18 before a dominating 21-12 triumph.
As the Lions celebrated making the championship match, ACU's threes prevailed in a 21-15, 13-21, 16-14 battle over Cartwright and Pecile.
Why Is It Important?: The Blue and Gold kept intact their all-time undefeated record in the GSAC Championship at 8-0.
What Was Said?: "We are so proud of how each team played today," said Head Coach Kris Dorn. "Win or lose, we competed together. The team has been practicing intentionality and it really showed today. We're excited that we now have a good chance at making the National Championship in Tennessee!"
What's Next?: The Lions will take on the winner of an elimination match between OUAZ and ACU. The Spirit and Firestorm meet at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, with the VU contest to follow at 1:00 p.m.
