TUCSON, Ariz. – The Sand Cats started the day of their final home tournament of the season with a split decision on day one of the Wildcat Spring Challenge at Bear Down Beach. Arizona kicked off the morning with a strong 4-1 win over Utah, but fell in the afternoon to rival Arizona State, 4-1.
Arizona began the day at 11:00 AM against Utah, starting strong and not looking back.
Kylee Fitzsimmons and Brooke Blutreich grinded out a three-set victory over Langley Griffin and Bella Vezzani. After dropping the first set 21-17, the duo bounced back with a 21-11 second-set win and sealed the match 15-12 in the third.
Ashlyn Zilliken and Madeline Walker dominated their match on court three, sweeping Utah’s Kylie Pitzak and Ellyn Collins with ease (21-18, 21-11). The Wildcats maintained control from start to finish.
On court four, Annie Kost and Elin Kaiser also posted a straight-set win, defeating Sonja Wessel and Maeve Griffin 21-18, 21-16 to earn a point for the Wildcats.
Brooke Boyko and Katie Lambeth closed out the match with a clean sweep on court five. The Wildcat pair took down Lauren Sayre and Elle Burleson 21-18, 21-16 to secure Arizona’s fourth and final point of the duel.
Utah’s only point came from the top court, where Adri Nieves Papaleo and Kate Phillips dropped a tight two-set match to Quincy Stephens and Katie McAlister (21-17, 21-18).
In the afternoon, Arizona faced off against in-state rival Arizona State at 3:00PM in a highly anticipated matchup, but the Sand Cats fell short, 4-1.
The one win came from Brooke Boyko and Katie Lambeth on court five. After a back-and-forth battle with Zoe Taylor and Arden Besecker, the Arizona duo pulled off a 16-14 third-set victory after splitting the first two sets (21-17, 18-21).
On the top court, Nieves Papaleo and Phillips fought hard in the first set (24-26), but dropped the match in two sets to Samaya Morin and Daniella Kensinger.
Fitzsimmons and Blutreich also battled but were edged out by Ava Kirunchyk and Ava Williamson in straight sets (22-20, 21-17) on court two.
Arizona State scored another point on court three, as Ashlyn Zilliken and Madeline Walker fell to Tori Clement and Kendall Whitmarsh 21-16, 22-20, despite keeping both sets close.
On court four, Annie Kost and Elin Kaiser couldn’t find their rhythm against Anya Pemberton and
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