MALIBU, Calif. -- Vanguard beach volleyball went 0-2 at Pepperdine on Saturday against the Waves and the Dons of the University of San Francisco in the final matchups before the team heads to the AVCA Division II Championships in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The Lions wrap the regular season at 7-14 and now await their seeding at the tournament, which begins Friday.
What Happened? Against the Dons, the Blue and Gold took one pairing, as
Jadyn Starling and
Gianna Pecile claimed a large triumph at the fives over Makenzie Holden and Scarlett McClung in three sets, winning 22-20, 13-21, 15-13. There was another three-set thriller, as
Jordan Packer and
Avery Bennett went the distance against Rylie Reeves and Jia Lonardi at the third flight, with the Lions taking set one 21-18. However, the Dons captured the next two 21-14, 20-18, as they outlasted the VU pair deep in the third for the narrow win. At the top pairing,
Thea Snider and
Josephine Springer lost 21-9, 21-15 to McKenna Towne and Kaydence Stormes. Branson Lennon and Rainie Stevens faced
Cassie Smits Van Oyen and
Mariah Rua at the second pairing, but the Dons won 21-16, 21-19. At the fours,
Jenae Moore and
Anne Mayfield were upended 21-9, 21-8 by Burkleigh Smith and Mahlia Priestley.
Taking on the Waves for the third time this year, VU could not take a set, which the Blue and Gold did in the last meeting. Mayfield and Gilmore fell to Bella Avelar and Emma Bubelis 21-14, 21-15, while Smits Van Oyen and Johnston dropped their match against Alice Jagielska and Sonia Mancuso 21-9, 25-23. Snider and Springer were defeated by Maddy Snow and Gabriella Perez 21-7, 21-11, Bennett and Packer were outlasted by Ginevra Merlini and Emi Erickson 21-12, 21-12, and Pecile and Starling were taken down by Deanie Woodruff and Evue Doezema 21-15, 21-17.
What was Said? "It was a beautiful day to play in Malibu," relayed Head Coach
Kris Dorn. "It signified the last big test before our run at the AVCA Championship next week. All the work of improving and battling against NCAA Division I opponents has been sharpening us. We are looking forward to next week!"
