HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Vanguard beach volleyball played its first home matches as an NCAA Division 2 program on Friday at the Brookhurst and PCH Courts, tucking away a pair of victories over Cal State LA and Life Pacific.
The Lions ran their winning streak to four straight and improved to 6-3 on the season. The Golden Eagles are 2-4 and the Warriors 1-6.
Four of VU's five pairs went 2-0 on the afternoon and the Lions won in straight sets in eight of the 10 matches.
Vanguard 4, Cal State LA 1
Vanguard took on fellow D-2 program Cal State LA in the morning contest.Â
The fours tandem of Gianna Pecile and Cassie Smits Van Oyen toppled Rebeca Marquez and Rebecca Topete by scores of 21-18, 21-8 to race out to a 1-0 lead.
Paige Cutwright and Madison Arnold battled through a close first set before letting loose in a much cleaner second frame, handing Samarah DeCoud and Jameson Sanders a 21-19, 21-11 defeat.Â
The Lions clinched the team victory when Thea Snider and Emma Galloway breezed to a 21-15, 21-3 rout of Juliana Speiski and McKinley Chase.
The final two matches lasted the distance. The Golden Eagles took the point at No. 3 position with Zuhal Cetin and Tehya Chadwick outlasting Reece Fisher and Katie Alexander in a 21-16, 18-21, 15-7 battle.
VU earned its fourth point at the fives, as Logan Daniels and Natalie Hill overcame a first set loss. The Lion duo posted a 19-21, 21-11, 15-7 triumph over Karina Talavera and Arielle Chandler.
The Blue and Gold improved to 7-0 all-time against the Golden Eagles.
Vanguard 5, Life Pacific 0
The Lions faced their old foe from the Golden State Athletic Conference and won for the seventh time in seven tries against the Warriors.
The only pressure VU faced was at the ones, with both sets going deep. However, Snider and Galloway pulled away late each time, emerging as 21-17, 21-19 victors over Mackenzie Stewart and Kate Murray.Â
VU did not allow more than 14 points in any set at the other four positions.
Cutwright and Arnold rolled to a 21-13, 21-9 win at No. 2 against Taylor Wilson and Lindsey Johnson. Pecile and Smits Van Oyen racked up another win at the fours spot, taking down Mya Castro and Kylie Proctor 21-14, 21-13.
Daniels and Hill put together a successful match as the fives pairing downed Gracelyn Myhre and Jocelyn Hernandez by scores of 21-14 and 21-7.
In the threes position, Fisher and Alexander redeemed themselves from the earlier setback, breezing to a 21-6, 21-10 victory over Emma McMillan and Iliana Galindo.
What Was Said?: "Playing at home is a privilege and pleasure," said Head Coach Kris Dorn. "As usual we had to use the wind wisely, and the Lions really did a really great job at making quick in-game adjustments. We can't wait for tomorrow!"
What's Next?: VU returns to the Brookhurst and PCH Courts on Saturday for a 10:00 a.m. rematch against Cal State LA. The Lions then play Hope International at 2:00 p.m.
