GULF SHORES, Ala. – Vanguard Beach Volleyball closed its stay in Pool D of the AVCA D2 Championships Saturday afternoon, in a 3-2 loss to Palm Beach Atlantic (Fla.). VU ended pool play in third, going 1-2 and moving to 9-16 in the season. The Lions will need to see how the bronze bracket settles to find where they fit for Sunday's conclusion to the AVCA tournament.

What Happened? Pair one put VU on the board with a close set for Thea Snider and Josephine Springer. The duo dealt PBA a 21-19 win in set one and squeezed past Katie Galligan and Angela Goggin in extra points in a 22-20 result. Hayden Johnston and Cassie Smits Van Oyen were bested at flight two with PBA inching toward a 21-17 win and wielding a more convincing 21-9 win.

The Sailfish secured the victory at the third and fourth pairings. Sydney Corbett and Cameron Ring topped Avery Bennett and Jordan Packer at the threes with set scores of 21-15, 21-14. Gianna Pecile and Jadyn Starling found themselves trailing after a 21-15 set defeat to Zoye Caroline and Maggie Cox. The VU combo nearly staked a win in the following set, but were outlasted by the Sailfish, as a 24-22 tally ensured the win. The Blue and Gold earned a win at the five to round out the match. Anne Mayfield and Jenae Moore managed to sweep Grace Reynolds and Savanna Rogers with 21-17, 21-19 scores.

What was Said?  "Today was a tough trial against the highest seed in our pool," said Head Coach Kris Dorn.  "Although we had chances, and we made some great adjustments in the wind, we lost, but competed.  Now, it's time to refocus on what tomorrow's bracket will bring.  We're still barely in our "freshman year" in NCAA DII, so we relish the opportunity to see what the best teams do."