Greeneville, Tenn. - The Firestorm could not muster enough in the heart of their lineup as they fell 3-2 to #7 Vanguard in the semifinal round of the 2024 NAIA Women's Beach Volleyball Invitational. While the third set was ACU's friend in the opening four matches (7-0), the Lions won all three of their points in matches decided in three sets. All four meetings between the Firestorm and Lions this season were decided 3-2 (VU finished 3-1 in the series).

Vanguard later outdueled #2 OUAZ 3-2 in the championship match (a rematch from this year's GSAC Championship), coming back from a 2-0 deficit with a sweep of the odd pairs to repeat as owners of The Red Banner.

Following the championship's conclusion, it was announced that Mia Scheepens and Misty McCall earned places on the All-Tournament Team. McCall was also awarded Most Valuable Player for her unmatched teamwork and overall play.

Previously undefeated in the invitational, the even pairs of Haley Brown/Riley Brown and Sydney Shaw/Brianna Boeckman each fell in three-set marathons. 

With their backs against the wall, one pair Mia Scheepens/Misty McCall and five pair Amaya Brown/Emily Katzer each won contested two setters. The score now read 2-2 and all bets were off.

Eliana Cho/Railey Dykstra, in their 19th match as partners, were in a familiar position: the tie-breaker. After dropping the first set, the three pair won the second so that a championship-match berth would be determined in yet another third set. A deuce victory (16-14) went the Lions' way however, and the Firestorm's national run and historic season came to an end.

Brown/Katzer, despite the team loss, closed the invitational a perfect 5-0 and signed their names by an outstanding 23-9 overall record in 2024. The twin two pair Brown/Brown and four pair Shaw/Boeckman both closed with 4-1 performances in Greeneville.

MATCH INFO

Score: #4 Arizona Christian 2, #7 Vanguard 3
Order of Finish: 4,2,1,5,3
Location: Greeneville Beach Volleyball Complex - Greeneville, TN
Time: 11:00 AM EST

MATCH-BY-MATCH RESULTS

VU 3, ACU 2

1. Mia Scheepens/Misty McCall (ACU) def. Hannah Wilmes/Emma Galloway (VU) 21-17, 21-19
2. Maddi Nash/Madison Arnold (VU) def. Haley Brown/Riley Brown (ACU) 17-21, 21-13, 15-11
3. Paige Cutwright/Gianna Pecile (VU) def. Eliana Cho/Railey Dykstra (ACU) 21-18, 18-21, 16-14
4. Bailey Coffin/Logan Daniels (VU) def. Sydney Shaw/Brianna Boeckman (ACU) 21-19, 18-21, 15-13
5. Amaya Brown/Emily Katzer (ACU) def. Kortney Hitt/Ana Broadhead (VU) 24-22, 21-18

NEXT FOR THE FIRESTORM

Arizona Christian's historic season is now over. Stay up to date with ACU Beach Volleyball this offseason and through their 2025 campaign by following @acufirestorm on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and checking out @firestorm_bvb on Instagram.

Roll Storm!