SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – Vanguard beach volleyball posted a pair of victories over a pair of top-10 teams in the NAIA on Saturday at the TMU Beach Volleyball Courts. The Lions downed No. 8 Southern Oregon and No. 3 The Master's, an old rival from the Golden State Athletic Conference.
The Lions improved to 4-3 after beating the Raiders 4-1 and the Mustangs 3-2. VU No. 1 pair Thea Snider and Emma Galloway clinched the win in both matches.
Vanguard 4, No. 8 Southern Oregon 1
Four of the five matches went to three sets in an epic battle between the two sides.
The Lions fell behind at the twos as Grace Gulbrandsen and Kira Sandoval handed Paige Cutwright and Madison Arnold a 21-15, 20-22, 15-8 defeat. VU tied the score at the fours, as Cassie Smits Van Oyen and Gianna Pecile overcame a first set deficit. The Lion tandem rallied to win 14-21, 21-19, 15-11 over Lucretia Benolken and Addison Weckerle.
VU took a 2-1 lead at the threes as Katie Alexander and Anne Mayfield knocked off Linda Conceicao and Kendal Hadwick in straight sets, 21-15, 21-14.
That set things up for Snider and Galloway to clinch the match. Madi Gray and Tessa Zimmerman did not make matters easy for the Blue and Gold top pairing, winning the first set 21-14. But the Lion duo charged back to win 21-18 and 15-13 in the next two sets.
With the team win in hand, Logan Daniels and Natalie Hill earned the win at the fives over Skyy Bothelo and Natalie Perez, taking the 21-11, 14-21, 15-12 decision.
Vanguard 3, No. 3 The Master's 2
Vanguard dealt with another 1-0 hole when Faith Wada and Zoe Yates captured the victory at the No. 2 spot, taking down Cutwright and Arnold by a 21-18, 21-13 score.
The Lions answered at the fours as Smits Van Oyen and Pecile improved to 2-0 on the afternoon. The Lion tandem upended Ashlyn Unruh and Isabela Rodriguez in straight sets, 21-17, 21-17.
The Mustangs took a 2-1 lead after claiming a match at the threes, where Grace Colburn and Violet Avila garnered the 21-11, 21-14 victory over Alexander and Mayfield.
Daniels and Hill won their second straight match of the afternoon to tie the score at 2-2. They went to three sets, overcoming Ellie Niehus and Ellie Unruh at the fives. After losing the first set 21-18, they won the next two 21-18 and 15-9.
Snider and Galloway won the clinching match at the ones, toppling Annika Gudnason and Evi Roberts 21-19, 21-17.
What Was Said?: "This is epitome of adaptability to have two tough days, playing with different balls, and still making in-game adjustments," said Head Coach Kris Dorn. "It was a great show of our desire to improve our speed of game. It's always a great battle with TMU and we really admire each other. It came down to the wire, and we are both thankful for the "W" and also humbled where we have a lot to work on."
What's Next?: The Lions play at home for the first time this season, hosting Cal State LA and Life Pacific on Friday, February 28 and 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The matches will take place at the Brookhurst and PCH Courts in Huntington Beach.
