The Arizona 2018 beach volleyball team concluded its first weekend of opening season play. The Wildcats welcomed Benedictine at Mesa, Abilene Christian, and San Jose State for the two-day event.
Arizona opened up their weekend competition against Benedictine at Mesa at Saturday's 2 p.m. game with a (5-0) sweep. The No. 5 pair Caroline Cordes and Makenna Martin started the weekend off strong with match results of (21-4, 21-8). Next to finish was the No. 4 pair Mia Mason and Jonny Baham defeating the Red Hawks (21-9, 21-7). Wildcat pair Brooke Burling and Candice Denny took down the No. 3 pair of Megan Block and Dani Burke, (21-12, 21-5). UA's No. 2 team of Olivia Hallaran and Kacey Nady took down Caitlan Sammons and Sydney Nelson ending with a score of (21-7, 21-5). To clinch the win, Natalie Anselmo and Olivia Macdonald posing as the No. 1 pair dominated against Benedictine's Jackie Woods and Kat McCullough, (21-7, 21-12).
The Wildcats then went on to begin their Sunday morning game play with a sweep against Abilene Christian (5-0). First to finish was No. 4 pair Mia Mason and Jonny Baham against Amy Weiss and Makenzie Kesler (21-7, 21-10). The Cats' Makenna Martin and Caroline Cordes then went on to defeat Abilene Christians No. 5 pair Eighmy Dobbins and Kennedy Shelstead (21-11, 21-8). In straight sets, Arizona's No. 3 pair of Brooke Burling and Candice Denny took down Katelyn Mueller and Lexie Rawls in straight sets, (21-10, 21-9). The Wildcats' No. 2 tandem of Kacey Nady and Olivia Hallaran put another point on the board for Arizona as they defeated Brooke Riley and Lauren Walker, (21-11, 21-10). To secure the win, No. 1 UA pair of Natalie Anselmo and Olivia Macdonald dominated against Jacey Smith and Kendall Bosee, (21-10, 21-12).
Later that day, Arizona faced the San Jose State Spartans picking up their first win against the No. 4 team of Breann Robinson and Luiza Andrade. Pair Mia Mason and Jonny Baham earned a score of (21-18, 17-21, 15-7). The No. 5 duo of Makenna Martin and Caroline Cordes defeated the Spartans duo of Summer Avery and Kaitlynn Zdroik (21-16, 21-18). Next to finish was Arizona's No. 3 pair of Brook Burling and Candice Denny where they claimed victory (21-19, 21-17) against Jamie Hirai and Haley Sturgeon. The team picked up another win as No. 2 pair Kacey Nady and Olivia Hallaran finished (21-14, 21-16) against the Spartans' Ciara Reistad and Julia Golbeck. Natalie Anselmo and Olivia Macdonald of Arizona's No. 1 team pulled away with a victory against Nandyala Gama and Lyndi Scholl where they took the match to 3 sets, (21-17, 21-23, 15-13).
Arizona will return to Bear Down Beach March 2-3 for the Arizona Invitational. The Cats will welcome New Mexico, Washington, and LMU.
Results
#9 Arizona 5, Benedictine 0
Doubles competition
1. Natalie Anselmo/Olivia Macdonald (ARIZ) def. Jackie Woods/Kat McCullough (BENE) 21-7, 21-12
2. Olivia Hallaran/Kacey Nady (ARIZ) def. Caitlan Sammons/Sydney Nelson (BENE) 21-7, 21-5
3. Candice Denny/Brooke Burling (ARIZ) def. Megan Block/Dani Burke (BENE) 21-12, 21-5
4. Mia Mason/Jonny Baham (ARIZ) def. Anokina Mirzapour/Kassandra Renteria (BENE) 21-9, 21-7
5. Caroline Cordes/Makenna Martin (ARIZ) def. Madison Peters/Hayden Boucher (BENE) 21-4, 21-8
Order of finish: Doubles (5, 4, 3, 2, 1);
#9 Arizona 5, Abilene Christian 0
Doubles Competition
1. Kacey Nady/Olivia Hallaran (ARIZ) def. Brooke Riley/Lauren Walker (ACU) 21-11, 21-10
2. Natalie Anselmo/Olivia Macdonald (ARIZ) def. Jacey Smith/Kendall Bosse (ACU) 21-10, 21-12
3. Brooke Burling/Candice Denny (ARIZ) def. Katelyn Mueller/Lexie Rawls (ACU) 21-10, 21-9
4. Jonny Baham/Mia Mason (ARIZ) def. Amy Weiss/Makenzie Kesler (ACU) 21-7, 21-10
5. Makenna Martin/Caroline Cordes (ARIZ) def. Eighmy Dobbins/Kennedy Shelstead (ACU) 21-11, 21-8
Order of finish: Doubles (5,4,3,1,2);
#9 Arizona 5, San Jose State 0
Doubles Competition
1. Kacey Nady/Olivia Hallaran (ARIZ) def. Ciara Reistad/Julia Golbeck (SJSU) 21-14, 21-16
2. Natalie Anselmo/Olivia Macdonald (ARIZ) def. Nandyala Gama/Lyndi Scholl (SJSU) 21-17, 21-23, 15-13
3. Brooke Burling/Candice Denny (ARIZ) def. Jamie Hirai/Haley Sturgeon (SJSU) 21-19, 21-17
4. Jonny Baham/Mia Mason (ARIZ) def. Breann Robinson/Luiza Andrade (SJSU) 21-18, 17-21, 15-7
5. Makenna Martin/Caroline Cordes (ARIZ) def. Summer Avery/Kaitlynn Zdroik (SJSU) 21-16, 21-18
Order of finish: Doubles (5,4,3,1,2);
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