– Abilene Christian's first-year beach volleyball team went 0-4 during its season opening weekend at the Cactus Classic, losing twice to San Jose State in addition to suffering a close 3-2 defeat to Benedictine. The Wildcats also fell to the tournament hosts from the University of Arizona.
led their side with two victories. Their first career win took place at the top line vs. San Jose State's Nandyala Gama and Lyndi, 21-15, 21-12, and later they defeated the Benedictine No. 1 duo of Kat McCullough and Jackie Woods, 21-15, 21-12.
Also scoring a win vs. Benedictine was the Wildcats' No. 2 tandem of
Brooke Riley /
Lauren Walker, which rallied from a set down to top Caitlan Sammons and Sydney Nelson, 16-21, 21-10, 15-14.
"We were getting better with each match," said head coach
Angela Mooney. "I saw improvement, growth and confidence through both days of competition, and that's exactly what we wanted to see as a coaching staff. They competed well no matter who the competition was, and overall I thought we far exceeded our expectations for the first time out."
The Wildcats second tournament is set for March 9-10 at Grand Canyon University. There they will play the host Antelopes in addition to Grossmont and New Mexico.
San Jose State 5, Abilene Christian 0
Feb 24, 2018 at Tucson, Ariz.
1.) Nandyala Gama / Lyndi Scholl (SJSU) def.
Jacey Smith /
Kendall Bosse (ACU), 21-10, 21-14
2.) Ciara Reistad / Julia Golbeck (SJSU) def.
Lauren Walker /
Brooke Riley (ACU), 21-8, 21-16
3.) Jamie Hirai / Haley Sturgeon (SJSU) def.
Lexie Rawls /
Katelyn Mueller (ACU), 21-9, 21-13
4.) Thaliana Grajeda / Luiza Andrade (SJSU) def.
Amy Weiss /
Makenzie Kesler (ACU), 21-16, 21-11
5.) Summer Avery / Breann Robinson (SJSU) def.
Paris Cosley /
Sofia Resendiz (ACU), 21-10, 21-16
Match Notes
Order of finish: 4,5,1,2,3
San Jose State 4, Abilene Christian 1
Feb 24, 2018 at Tucson, Ariz
1.)
Jacey Smith /
Kendall Bosse (ACU) def. Nandyala Gama / Lyndi Scholl (SJSU), 21-15, 21-12
2.) Ciara Reistad / Julia Golbeck (SJSU) def.
Brooke Riley /
Lauren Walker (ACU), 21-12, 21-11
3.) Jamie Hirai / Haley Sturgeon (SJSU) def.
Katelyn Mueller /
Lexie Rawls (ACU), 21-17, 21-9
4.) Thaliana Grajeda / Luiza Andrade (SJSU) def.
Amy Weiss /
Makenzie Kesler (ACU), 21-7, 22-20
5.) Summer Avery / Breann Robinson (SJSU) def.
Paris Cosley /
Sofia Resendiz (ACU), 21-9, 21-14
Match Notes
Order of finish: 3,4,5,2,1
Benedictine 3, Abilene Christian 2
Feb 24, 2018 at Tucson, Ariz
1.)
Jacey Smith /
Kendall Bosse (ACU) def. Kat McCullough/Jackie Woods (BENE), 21-15, 21-12
2.)
Brooke Riley /
Lauren Walker (ACU) def. Caitlan Sammons / Sydney Nelson (BENE), 16-21, 21-10, 15-14
3.) Megan Block / Dani Burke (BENE) def.
Katelyn Mueller /
Lexie Rawls (ACU), 20-22, 21-17, 15-12
4.) Kassandra Renteria / Anokina Mirzapour (BENE) def.
Amy Weiss /
Makenzie Kesler (ACU), 21-13, 21-17
5.) Hayden Boucher / Madison Peters (BENE) def.
Eighmy Dobbins /
Kennedy Shelstead (ACU), 21-17, 18-21, 15-11
Match Notes
Order of finish: 4,5,1,2,3
Arizona 5, Abilene Christian 0
Feb 25, 2018 at Tucson, Ariz
1.) Kacey Nady/Olivia Hallaran (ARIZ) def.
Brooke Riley/
Lauren Walker (ACU) 21-11, 21-10
2.) Natalie Anselmo/Olivia Macdonald (ARIZ) def.
Jacey Smith/
Kendall Bosse (ACU) 21-10, 21-12
3.) Brooke Burling/Candice Denny (ARIZ) def.
Katelyn Mueller/
Lexie Rawls (ACU) 21-10, 21-9
4.) Jonny Baham/Mia Mason (ARIZ) def.
Amy Weiss/
Makenzie Kesler (ACU) 21-7, 21-10
5.) Makenna Martin/Caroline Cordes (ARIZ) def.
Eighmy Dobbins/
Kennedy Shelstead (ACU) 21-11, 21-8
Match Notes
Order of finish: 5,4,3,1,2
