TEMPE, Ariz. – Utah Beach Volleyball picked up a 4-1 win over Ottawa on Saturday afternoon to highlight the day, while falling against #7 Grand Canyon to close out the weekend.
Utah got off to a quick start against Ottawa after courts two and four picked up straight-set wins. Utah’s 2-0 advantage in the match came from Abby Karich and Bella Vezzani’s 21-15, 21-17 win on court two, along with a hard-fought 21-19, 21-19 win on court four from Azure McOmber and Sonja Wessel.
The match remained competitive as the Utes were able to earn a 21-18 win in the first set on court one from Amaya Messier and Katie McAlister, but Ottawa managed to win the first sets on court three and five. Messier and McAlister clinched the win for the Utes with a back and forth 21-19 second set.
Both Ute pairs on courts three and five were able to bounce back and win in the second set to keep the match going. After rebounding with a 24-22 win, Grace Andrews and Chloe Narancich narrowly fell 15-13, but Kylie Pitzak and Sydney Jacinto picked up a come from behind 15-12 win to push Utah to the 4-1 victory.
Against Grand Canyon, the Utes dropped the first sets on court four and two to open the match as McOmber and Wessel narrowly dropped a 21-18 set, and Karich and Andrews fell 21-15. The Lopes went on to take the second sets, pushing the match score to 2-0. Andrews and Narancich played a competitive match on court three, but a 21-15, 21-16 loss would clinch the match for Grand Canyon. The Utes couldn’t pick up wins on courts one or five as the top-10 ranked GCU team completed the sweep.
Utah opens action at the Pac-12 Championship on Wednesday, Apr. 26, which is hosted by Stanford. The three-day event will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks.
Utah 4, Ottawa 1
1. Amaya Messier and Katie McAlister (UTAH) def. Olivia Andersh and Livia De Pra (OTT) 21-18, 21-19
2. Abby Karich and Bella Vezzani (UTAH) def. Summer Hanks and Sam Leight (OTT) 21-15, 21-17
3. Dayana Raygoza and Mattea Wilson (OTT) def. Grace Andrews and Chloe Narancich (UTAH) 18-21, 24-22, 15-13
4. Azure McOmber and Sonja Wessel (UTAH) def. Amanda Carlson and Grace Hughes (OTT) 21-19, 21-19 5. Sydney Jacinto and Kylie Pitzak (UTAH) def. Madison Wampler and Samantha Beer (OTT) 18-21, 21-18, 15-12
Order of finish: 2,4,1,3,5
Utah 0, #7 Grand Canyon 5
1. Allison Hansen and Abbie…
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