MALIBU, Calif. – The Vanguard beach volleyball squad tangled with a couple of NCAA Division I opponents on Saturday, falling 5-0 to both host Pepperdine and South Florida.

In the midst of their toughest stretch of schedule, the Lions have lost six straight matches and sit at 8-9 overall.

Pepperdine 5, Vanguard 0

The Lions fell behind 1-0 at the fours as the Waves tandem of Emi Erickson and Deanie Woodruff earned a 21-15, 21-10 victory over Cassie Smits Van Oyen and Gianna Pecile.

Pepperdine took a 2-0 lead at the twos as Madison Oriskovich and Gabriella Perez knocked of Paige Cutwright and Madison Arnold by 21-15, 21-7 scores.

At the ones, Kate Clermont and McKenna Thomas clinched the team victory for the Waves in their 21-8, 21-10 triumph against Thea Snider and Emma Galloway.

Pepperdine maintained control at the threes position with Emma Eden and Ella Foti taking a 21-8, 21-9 victory over VU's Katie Alexander and Anne Mayfield.

The final completed match occurred at the fives with Wave duo Emma Bubelis and Marley Johnson posting a 21-14, 21-11 win over Logan Daniels and Natalie Hill.

South Florida 5, Vanguard 0

The Lions battled much more closely with South Florida.

Smits Van Oyen and Pecile lost their matchup at the fours – 21-14, 21-15 – to Sasha Pasloski and Cornelia Crudu. At the twos spot, Audrey Gauthier and Isabella Almeida gave the Bulls a 2-0 lead with their 21-15, 21-16 win over Cutwright and Arnold.

At the ones, Snider and Galloway gave a good account against Aleksandra Stadnik and Samantha Crosby, but succumbed 21-16, 21-14 as South Florida took the team victory.

Alexander and Mayfield lost by identical 21-14, 21-14 scores to Alyx Zapatka and Morgan Anderson at the threes.

The fives went the distance, as Daniels and Hill took a 21-16 victory in set one. But Ryann Genest and Claire Moser rebounded to win the next two sets by 21-9, 15-7 scores to complete the comeback.

What Was Said?: "Today was a good example of both adaptation and the continued need to elevate to meet challenges," said Head Coach Kris Dorn. "We have a great benefit to playing these top quality opponents in that it exposes weaknesses and allows us to test our limits. We'll learn from a tough day and be better for it."

What's Next?: The Lions return to action on Friday, March 28 against Texas A&M-Kingsville and CUI at the OC Great Park.