GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Arizona Christian opened their on-campus beach volleyball courts with a tournament on Friday, and Vanguard went 1-1. The Lions blanked the Beacons of Bushnell University (Ore.) but came up short against NAIA Champions OUAZ 3-2. The Lions went to 2-1 on the season.
VU 5 BU 0 The Lions only lost one set across the five pairings in match one of the day, with Bushnell close in only one other set.
Thea Snider and
Josephine Springer had the lone setback, as the top pairing (which finished last) won 21-18, 18-21, 15-11.
Cassie Smits Van Oyen and
Jordan Packer were the first to close out a victory, taking the second pairing 21-12, 21-12, with
Jenae Moore and
Anne Mayfield beating Sydney Myhre and Laci Jespersen 21-19, the other closest set score of the day, and 21-14. The first of the odd numbered pairings to finish was
Jadyn Starling and
Gianna Pecile, who beat Haley Engelbrecht and Kailey Shirley 21-16, 21-14, with
Avery Bennett and
Hayden Johnston winning next 21-16, 21-13 over Monet Panther and Carly Hanna.
OUAZ 3 VU 2
Vanguard took the third and fifth flights in the twin bill, with Starling and Pecile sweeping Katy Shockey and Alicia Romero 21-19, 21-13 at the fives (which was the fourth pair to finish). Bennett and Johnston dropped the first set 22-20 at the threes, but won the next two 21-18, 15-12 to give the Blue and Gold its second pair victory of the encounter (the pair finished third). The first group to finish was the fourth pairing, as Shea Marovich and Gabriela Corrales bested Moore and Mayfield 21-14, 21-14. Next to finish was the second flight, as Smits Van Oyen and Packer dropped the first set 21-15, won the second 21-18, but lost the third 15-6. The top pair of Snider and Springer snagged the first set 21-19, lost the second 21-18, and came close to winning in the third but fell 15-13.
What was Said? "Today was an excellent test of resilience," relayed Head Coach
Kris Dorn. "Quicksand is a fast way to get gassed, but our ladies showed heart in fighting through it. And its key to be tested early. Stepping into this challenge will pay off."
What's Next? VU returns to the ACU campus to take on the Firestorm at 7:00 a.m., followed by Simpson (Calif.) at 11:00 a.m.
