HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. -- Making its 2026 season debut, Vanguard beach volleyball stormed to a 4-1 win over CSU Los Angeles today to start the season at 1-0.  The squad then took on Mira Costa CC, and while it won't count toward the overall record, the Lions won 3-2.

vs. CSULA
The first pair in the barn was the second flight, as Cassie Smits Van Oyen and Jordan Packer were edged out by CSULA 21-19, 21-18.  But the fourth flight came through with a win to level the match, as Jenae Moore and Anne Mayfield beat the Golden Eagles 21-10 and 15-13 after dropping set one 21-19.  The third pairing was the next group to get a win for VU, as Avery Bennett and Hayden Johnston won 21-8, 21-12, followed by the fifth coalition of Jadyn Starling and Gianna Pecile, who won 21-13, 21-13.  Thea Snider and Josephine Springer tossed aside the top pairing of CSULA 21-13 and 21-14 to polish off the 4-1 triumph.

vs. Mira Costa
The Blue and Gold drew even after the second and fourth pairings finished, as Smits Van Oyen and Packer won 21-17, 19-21, 15-12, but Moore and Mayfield fell 21-18, 21-15.  It all came down to the top flight, as the next pairing in was the Starling and Pecile duo, who won 21-13, 21-13 for the second match in a row.  However, the third flight of Bennett and Johnston dropped their bout 23-21, 22-20, sending everyone to the court with the first pairings.  The dual between the top flights needed extra time as well, as Snider and Springer took set one 21-10, but lost the second 21-12.  Yet the Lions had the edge in the final set of the day, claiming a 15-12 decision to give the squad the unofficial victory.

What was Said? "This was a great opening weekend," said Head Coach Kris Dorn.  "With morning practices, we don't get much wind, so today's conditions made us better.  It's a season of growth, and today was a solid challenge with the breeze and the competition. 

What's Next?  VU heads to Glendale, Arizona, for four matches, with a pair against Bushnell (Ore.) and OUAZ up first next Friday.