Hot Streak for the Sandy Stangs

The Master's University women's beach volleyball team won all three of their matches this weekend at the final GSAC tournament of the season held at the Brookhurst Courts in Huntington Beach, Calif.
 
The Mustangs seized a big win against the Arizona Christian University Firestorm, who placed 7th in the previous NAIA national poll. The Mustangs took the match 4-1.
 
The No. 4 team of Isabela Rodriguez and Breanna Brooks got a good start for the team, winning their match in two sets (21-14, 21-9). No. 2 team Kassidy Wilson and Violet Avila followed with a 22-20, 21-13 win before the No. 1 team of Evi Yates and Annika Booker sealed the match for the team in the opening of the second wave of games (21-18, 21-15).
 
"We have definitely had a rough patch as a team. We've dealt with a lot of sickness, injuries, and changes in the ladder, but I do think we are finally becoming the team we were capable of being. The pairs are solid in chemistry and grit. It's very exciting to see going into the GSAC tournament," said sophomore Evi Yates. 
 
 The No. 5 pair, Ellie Niehus and Faith Tarver, brought in the fourth and final win, with a three-set battle (21-14, 10-21, 15-6).
 
The Mustangs continued their win streak on Saturday, defeating San Diego Christian College 3-2. Wilson and Avila opened the day against SDCC winning 22-20, 21-10, then Brooks and Rodriquez continued the streak with a 21-18, 21-17 win. 
 
TMU's No. 5 team of Ellie Niehus and Faith Tarver went three sets against Ana Kaohi and Brianna Martindale, but lost in the third 18-16. Yates and Booker provided a two-set win (23-21, 21-13) to take the match over the Hawks.
 
The Master's finished the day against Life Pacific, defeating the Warriors 4-1. Yates/Booker (1), Wilson/Avila (2), Brooks/Rodriguez (4), and Niehus/Tarver (5) each won their games in two sets. 
 
These wins sealed a position for the Mustangs in the upcoming GSAC Championship tournament on April 5-6 with a No. 3 seed. Along with TMU, Vanguard, OUAZ and Hope International will be attending the two-day tournament.