Phoenix, Ariz. - The Arizona Christian Firestorm made some real noise in their opening two GSAC matches of 2024, narrowly losing to #1 Vanguard 3-2 and defeating #8 The Master's in a convincing 4-1 manner. Only ranked fifth in the 2024 GSAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, ACU put the conference on notice with an impressive display of grit and team chemistry.
The twin duo of Haley Brown/Riley Brown lost a three-setter (18-21, 21-19, 15-13) to Vanguard's number two pair Madeline Nash/Madeline Arnold, which ended up being the difference in the match.Â
In their showdown with The Master's Mustangs, the Firestorm had the match won through the first three doubles. The Brown sisters kicked it all off with a three-set victory (21-15, 16-21, 15-10) and Mia Scheepens/Misty McCall tacked on the final of four points.
Every Firestorm pair won at least one point between the two matches, Scheepens/McCall and Amaya Brown/Emily Katzer both going undefeated in the number one and number five pair respectively.Â
ACU's triumph over #8 The Master's was the program's second over the Mustangs and first win against a top-10 ranked opponent since April 8, 2022 (3-2 over #4 The Master's).
MATCH INFO
Score 1: RV Arizona Christian 2, #1 Vanguard 3
Score 2: RV Arizona Christian 4, #8 The Master's 1
Location: GCU Beach Volleyball Stadium - Phoenix, AZ
Times: 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM
MATCH-BY-MATCH RESULTS
Match 1: VU 3, ACU 2
- Mia Scheepens/Misty McCall (ACU) def. Emma Galloway/Hannah Wilmes (VU) (21-17, 18-21, 15-13)
- Madeline Nash/Madison Arnold (VU) def. Haley Brown/Riley Brown (ACU) (18-21, 21-19, 15-13)
- Paige Cutwright/Gianna Pecile (VU) def. Brianna Boeckman/Eliana Cho (ACU) (21-15, 21-19)
- Bailey Coffin/Kortney Hitt (VU) def. Sydney Shaw/Railey Dykstra (ACU) (21-9, 21-14)
- Amaya Brown/Emily Katzer (ACU) def. Emily Hon/Logan Daniels (VU) (21-18, 21-13)
- (Exh.) Brianna Beckler/Alyssa Robles (ACU) def. Ana Broadhead/Reece Fisher (VU) (21-19, 21-14)
Match 2: ACU 4, TMU 1
- Mia Scheepens/Misty McCall (ACU) def. Evi Yates/Annika Booker (TMU) (21-18, 21-17)
- Haley Brown/Riley Brown (ACU) def. Zoe Yates/Faith Wada (TMU) (21-15, 16-21, 15-10)Â
- Breanna Brooks/Isabela Rodriguez (TMU) def. Brianna Boeckman/Eliana Cho (ACU) (15-21, 21-10, 15-12)
- Sydney Shaw/Railey Dykstra (ACU) def. Ashlyn Unruh/Violet Avila (TMU) (21-16, 21-19)
- Amaya Brown/Emily Katzer (ACU) def. Elena Nichus/Arianna DeRaelle (TMU) (21-15, 21-17)
- (Exh.) Brianna Beckler/Alyssa Robles (ACU) def. Ellie Unruh/Emma Winter (TMU) (21-15, 21-17)
THOUGHTS FROM COACH VANESSA BURWICK
"Our girls played great," Coach Burwick said. "Before we started the day, we decided that our focus of the day was going to be loving one another. Whether it be our teammates, opponents or referees. The pairs did that so well and we won some matches in the process. We surprised everyone there and pushed through some tough games!"
NEXT FOR THE FIRESTORM
Arizona Christian closes out their first GSAC weekend Saturday at GCU Beach Volleyball Stadium, taking on Life Pacific and RV Hope International. The first ball will be served up at 10:00 AM with the LPU Warriors on the other side of the net. Stay up to date with ACU Beach Volleyball by following @acufirestorm on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and checking out @firestorm_bvb on Instagram.
Roll Storm!
