IRVINE, Calif.  – Vanguard beach volleyball split a pair of matches at the OC Great Park on Saturday, defeating Arizona Christian 3-2 and falling 5-0 to CUI.

The Lions are now 9-11 on the season.

Vanguard 3, Arizona Christian 2

The Lions won at the twos, threes and fours to topple their former Golden State Athletic Conference rival.

Thea Snider and Emma Galloway overcame a first set loss to Eliana Cho and Brianna Boeckman, rebounding for a 14-21, 22-20, 15-8 victory at the No. 2 position.

At the threes, Katie Alexander and Anne Mayfield downed Emily Katzer and Jayden Zeis by identical 21-16, 21-16 scores.

The Lions also got a victory at the fours with Cassie Smits Van Oyen and Gianna Pecile taking down Emee Fellens and Aaliyah Malden, 21-17, 21-15.

The two Lion losses resulted in three set outcomes. The Firestorm won at the ones, as Riley Brown and Haley Brown rebounded from a first set loss to defeat Madison Arnold and Paige Cutwright, 17-21, 22-20, 15-10.

At the fives spot, Alyssa Robles and Kapri Espinoza knocked off Logan Daniels and Natalie Hill by 21-19, 15-21, 15-10 scores.

CUI 5, Vanguard 0

For the second time in two weeks, the Lions faced off against the Golden Eagles with the same result.

Sara Ostojic and Kelissa Lemoine swept Snider and Galloway at the ones by 21-14, 21-7 scores. 

The twos position had Gabrielle Reinking and Korah Nordin earning a 21-11, 21-13 victory over Arnold and Cutwright.

Kelia Giusta and Cameron Solberg posted a 21-11, 21-14 win at the threes against Alexander and Mayfield.

Smits Van Oyen and Pecile battled Eva Prewitt and Olivia Medina at the fours, but fell 21-18, 21-13.

At the fives, Nicole Miller and Ashley Rossi of CUI beat Daniels and Hill, 21-14, 21-8.

After the matches, the Lions celebrated a seven player senior class, including Galloway, Arnold, Cutwright, Emily Hon, Daniels, Alexander and Hill.

What Was Said?: "Well today was brutal but necessary," said head coach Kris Dorn. "The sun was beating down on us in back-to-back matches but it's good practice for Nationals. It's great to get a win against an old rival, and it's a great measuring stick playing CUI since they're probably the best Division 2 team in the country."

What's Next?: Vanguard plays a pair of neutral matches in Malibu on Saturday, April 12, taking on San Francisco at 11:00 a.m. and UC Davis at 1:00 p.m.