Malibu, Calif. – The Sand Cats went 2-0 on the first day of the Malibu Invite with victories against Vanguard and Boise State.
Arizona secured a 5-0 victory in their first match of the day against Vanguard, with each of the Wildcat pairs winning in two sets.
Pair Hope Shannon/Grace Cook won their first set against the Lions 21-15. The second set was a closer battle, with Shannon and Cook emerging victorious 24-22. Later in the day the pair faced a rematch against Boise State’s Sierra Land/Marlayna Bullington, who they lost to last weekend in a close three-set competition. Shannon and Cook fought another tough battle against the Broncos in Malibu, ultimately falling short in two sets 19-21, 10-21.
Abby Russell/Olivia McElroy continued their winning streak, defeating Vanguard’s Madi Nash/Madison Arnold 21-16, 21-13 at No. 2. The two faced a closer competition later in the afternoon against Boise State, falling in the first set 18-21 but coming back to win the second and third sets 22-20, 15-9. The pair remains undefeated on the season.
Arizona’s Kylee Fitzsimmons/Annie Kost dominated their first match against Vanguard, winning 21-8, 21-7 at No. 3. Later in the day, the pair once again faced Boise State’s Emilia Guerra-Acuna/Ava Anderson, who they defeated at the Cactus Classic in a tight three sets. In a repeat situation from last weekend, Kost and Fitzsimmons were the final pair playing, with the results of their match determining the victor of the dual. The pair secured the winning point for the Wildcats, defeating the Broncos 22-20, 21-18.
Jess Horwath/Kate Phillips had a strong start to the day at No. 4, defeating Vanguard’s Bailey Coffin/Kortney Hitt 21-12, 21-13. Their match against Boise State went to three sets; Horwath and Phillips won the first set 21-14 then fell short in the second 18-21. The Arizona pair demonstrated their resilience in the third set, winning 17-15 in a tight competition with the Broncos.
At No. 5, Miranda Erro/Ashlyn Zilliken won against Vanguard’s Reece Fisher/Ana Broadhead 21-9, 21-10. The pair fell short against Boise State later in the day 19-21, 18-21.
After a strong 2-0 start, Arizona will take on…
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