The Master's beach volleyball team, ranked No. 9 in the most recent NAIA Top 10 Beach Volleyball Poll, opened conference play in Glendale, Ariz. Friday getting a win over Life Pacific but dropping a close one to No. 2 Vanguard.
The Sandy Stangs (2-2, 1-1) started the day against Vanguard, with the No. 1 team of
Evi Yates/
Annika Booker losing to Conley Harris/Morgan Nash 21-15, 21-16. TMU's No. 2 team of
Kassidy Wilson/
Violet Avila went three sets against Emily Galloway/Hannah Wilmes, but lost 21-17, 15-21, 9-15.
The Master's No. 3 and 4 teams got wins over the Lions.
Chloe Johnson/
Zoe Kira won 21-12, 19-21, 15-11, and
Breanna Brooks/
Ellie Niehus won 21-16, 18-21, 15-9.
"
Ellie Niehus and
Breanna Brooks have not lost a match yet this season and are doing great for us in the 4's spot,"Â said TMUÂ Head Coach
Annett Davis. "The sand is a bit shallow (on the courts), which makes this a 'jumpers' beach, and that took their net play to the next level."
The No. 5 team of
Ellie Unruh/
Isabela Rodriguez took their opponents to three sets, but could not pull off the upset losing 16-21, 21-18, 11-15.
"We started off very strong today," Davis said. "Several matches going to three sets is a great start for our young team."
The Master's then played Life Pacific in their afternoon match, sweeping the Warriors 5-0.
Kassidy Wilson and
Violet Avila moved up to the No. 1 spot, winning in three sets. Booker/Yates (2), Johnson/Kira (3), Brooks/Niehus (4) and Unruh/Rodriguez (5) each won their matches in two sets.
"Against Life Pacific our girls continued their high level of play," Davis said. "On each court our teams picked up their serving games, which helped us to win matches all the way from our ones to sixes."
The Master's will once again play two GSAC matches on Saturday in Glendale, Ariz., playing OUAZÂ in the morning matches followed by San Diego Christian in the afternoon.
