Master's preps for final GSAC matches against NCAA DI opposition

TMU Beach Volleyball, ranked No. 2 in the NAIA, continued to gear up for its stretch run to the regular season with a pair of tough matches against NCAA Division I opposition on Friday.
 
Despite 5-0 losses to the University of Nebraska and CSUN, the Mustangs were competitive in taking multiple matches to three sets.
 
In the first match against the Cornhuskers, the Mustangs' number two pairing of Kasie Spencer and Evi Yates and fourth duo of Emilye Grace Williams and Annika Booker played three-set matchups.
 
After Spencer and Yates lost the opening set, 12-21, they responded by winning the second 21-14, before falling in the third 7-15.
 
Williams and Booker won the first set of their match 23-21, before dropping the next two 14-21 and 9-15.
 
Ellie Niehus and Ellie Unruh were tied in their exhibition match (14-21, 21-17) that wasn't completed.
 
Then against CSUN, the Matadors won all matches by 2-0 scorelines, but three Master's pairings nearly won the opening set in their matchups.
 
Yates and Spencer (20-22), Tara Long and Kaylie Phelps (19-21) and CJ Catabona and Zoe Kira (24-26) all nearly pulled off first-set upsets at number two, four and six respectively.
 
Master's (10-8 overall, 8-1 GSAC) returns to Golden State Athletic Conference play on Friday and Saturday in Costa Mesa for its final three conference matches, against RV Hope International University, No. 3 Ottawa University Arizona and No. 1 Vanguard University.
 
TMU's only loss to an NAIA opponent this season is a 2-3 defeat to top-ranked Vanguard, whom the Mustangs sit a half-game behind in the conference standings.
 
RESULTS vs. Nebraska
RESULTS vs. CSUN