Glendale, Ariz. - Tied 2-2, Saturday's match against NCAA Division II Vanguard came down to the final match playing and the fives did not disappoint as they competed into a third set before the Lions edged out the Firestorm.
A newly paired tandem of Alyssa Robles and Abigail Nelson clicked immediately as they cruised by allowing just 15 total points at four in the lineup. Â The Lions finished wave one by claiming the win at the twos.
Vanguard moved ahead with a win in the threes. But the ones duo of Emee Fellens and Emily Casner tied the match at 2-2 with a straight sets win.
All attention turned to court three and the battle of the fives. Kapri Espinosa and Lilly Petersen lost set one 21-17 but answered with a 21-13 set two victory. The third set was decided 15-12 in favor of VU.
MATCH INFO
Match Score: Vanguard - 3, Arizona Christian - 2
Order of Finish: 4,2,3,1,5
Records: Arizona Christian - 2-2, Vanguard - 3-1
Location: ACU Beach Volleyball Courts, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ
MATCH RESULTS
1. Emee Fellens/Emily Casner (ACU) def. Thea Snider/Josephine Springer (VU) 21-18, 21-14
2. Cassie Smits VanOyen/Jordan Packer (VU) def. Jaiden Zeis/Jasmin Joseph (ACU) 21-19, 21-12
3. Avery Bennett/Hayden Johnston (VU) def. Abby Siebert/Haley Tedrow (ACU) 21-11, 21-17
4. Alyssa Robles/Abigail Nelson (ACU) def. Jenae Moore/Anne Mayfield (VU) 21-7, 21-8
5. Jadyn Starling/Gianna Pecile (VU) def. Kapri Espinosa/Lilly Petersen (ACU) 21-17, 13-21, 15-12
6. Elsa Gilmore/Ily Attinger (VU) vs. Laila Adcock/Jaclyn Stone (ACU) no result/tied
NEXT FOR THE FIRESTORM
Beginning on Wednesday, Arizona Christian and their fellow GSAC-ites will face-off in their first GSAC Jamboree of the season. The Firestorm will meet up with La Sierra and Life Pacific on day one at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa.
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