Tempe, Ariz.-The Sand Cats went 0-2 on the last day of the Pac-12 South Invitational, finishing the tournament 1-3.
In their first match Sunday, the Wildcats faced No. 3 USC. Arizona put up a good fight against the top-ranked Trojans, but ultimately lost 0-5. In the evening, the Wildcats fell to the No. 10 Sun Devils 2-3.
Against the Trojans and the Sun Devils, Arizona’s pair Abby Russell/Olivia McElroy moved from their typical start at No. 2 and played at the No. 1 spot. The two lost a tough battle with USC 21-13, 21-14. In the evening, Russell and McElroy played a well-matched two sets, falling just short against ASU 17-21, 28-30.
Pair Hope Shannon/Grace Cook played at the No. 2 spot against USC and fell to the Trojans 22-20, 10-21, 9-15.
Later in the evening, the Wildcats modified their lineup once more to face their in-state rivals, No. 10 ASU.
Against ASU, Grace Cook/Kylee Fitzsimmons played together for the first time this season at No. 2. The pair fell to the Sun Devils in two sets, 21-15, 21-14.
In the match against USC, Kylee Fitzsimmons/Annie Kost played at No. 3 and lost a tight match against the Trojans 20-22, 19-21.
Pair Hope Shannon/Annie Kost defeated ASU in three sets at No. 3. This was the first regular season match the two played together.
Pair Jess Horwath/Kate Phillips played at No. 4 throughout the tournament. The two fell to the Trojans 16-21, 20-22. Against ASU, the pair fought a nail-biter and emerged victorious, winning 21-19, 19-21, 16-14.
At No. 5, Miranda Erro/Ashlyn Zilliken demonstrated their resilience in both of the day’s matches. The pair went back and forth with USC’s Ashley Pater/Ainsley Radell 24-26, 24-22, 13-15. In a similar fashion, the two battled to the end with ASU’s Carys Thomas and Rylie Kael, but ultimately lost 19-21, 21-19, 13-15.
The Wildcats will return to Bear Down Beach on Thursday to host the Arizona Duals. Arizona will face Park University and Benedictine University.
Arizona – 0, USC– 5
Court 1: Laynie Maple and Megan Kraft (USC) def. Abby Russell and Olivia McElroy (ARIZ) 21-13, 21-14
Court 2: Grace Seits and Maddi Kriz (USC) def. Hope Shannon and Grace Cook (ARIZ) 20-22, 21-10,…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at University of Arizona Athletics…