MALIBU, Calif. -- The Vanguard beach volleyball program faced two NCAA Division I foes today at Pepperdine, as the Lions played the Waves and then the Huskie of Washington.  VU gave a spirited effort against the Waves and #19 UW, but did not take a set to end Friday's action at 4-3.
 
What Happened?  The first bout that went to the Waves was the second flight, as Maddy Snow and Gabriella Perez edged out Jordan Packer and Cassie Smits Van Oyen 21-12, 21-14.  After that was the fours, as Ginevra Merlini and Emi Erickson won 21-11, 21-12 over Jenae Moore and Anne Mayfield.  As the odd-numbered pairings came across the line, the top flight finished next, as Emma Eden and Michaela Cyrani upended Thea Snider and Josephine Springer 21-16, 21-11.  The third pairing was next, which involved the closest set of the day, as Hayden Johnston and Avery Bennett took the first set to extra time, but they lost to Alice Jagielska and Sonia Mancuso 25-23.  Unfortunately, the Waves then claimed the next frame 21-8.  At the fives, Gianna Pecile and Jadyn Starling had a great second set, forcing Emma Bubelis and Deanie Woodruff to a short period of extra rallies, though Pepperdine won 22-20 after taking the first set 21-10.
 
UW 5 VU 0
Niki Egan and Katarina Pantovic escaped Snider and Springer, as UW won 21-19, 21-17 at the first flight.  At the threes, Teila Allen and Emma Hohenauer bested Bennett and Johnston 21-16, 21-15, while Alina Urzua and Avery Towne won the fifth pairing over Starling and Pecile 21-9, 21-12.  For the even pairings, Mayamay Brown and Zoe Pabarcus won 21-12, 21-8 over Packer and Smits Van Oyen, while Ella Tyus and Sarah Wilcock bested Moore and Mayfield 21-13, 21-7.
 
What was Said?  "We plunged head-first into NCAA D1 competition today," said Head Coach Kris Dorn.  "It's exciting to watch us battle and implement some of the skills we're working on.  We're in this for the long haul, and for the sake of ontinual improvement.  This was a good day."
 
What's Next?  The Blue and Gold play CSULA and CUI tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at the OC Great Park Courts.