TUCSON, Ariz. – Following a successful opening day of the Arizona Invitational the Wildcats continued to dominate with a 4-1 victory over LSU\. The Arizona sand volleyball team closed out the Arizona Invitational in style by defeating No. 15 Tulane, 5-0, in the tournament championship Saturday evening at the Arizona Sand Volleyball Courts.
“Nice for us to come out and defend our home court, we had such a great environment it's perfect for our players,” head coach Steve Walker said. “, It's good to have our players playing in front of an audience. I liked the way we embraced the competition over the course of the weekend it wasn't always easy, but our players found a way to work through it and earn some victories.”
The Wildcats got off to a strong start to the match as they won both matches in the first round of play as both the No. 5 and No. 6 teams earned victories against LSU. Taylor Arizobal and Allie Cook got the first victory of the match in the No. 4 position as they knocked off Emily Ehrle and Carly Morris of LSU, 21-13, 21-18. Arizobal and Cook finished the weekend a perfect 3-0 and Arizobal was one of the names on the Arizona Invitational All-Tournament Team. Meanwhile, the No. 5 team of Hayley Devlin and Sarah Seiber had identical set scores with team No. 4 and remained a perfect 3-0 over the weekend as well after defeating Riley Young and Cheyenne Wood, 21-13, 21-18.
All Arizona needed was one more match win to clinch the victory over LSU and it quickly got it as twins Madison and McKenna Witt were admirable at the No. 2 position as they defeated Helen Bowle and Lilly Kessler in consecutive sets, 21-12, 21-6.
At the No. 1 position Madi Kingdon and Kaitlyn Leary downed Katie Lindelow and Mandi Orellana, 21-16, 21-17.
LSU did pick up a win at the No. 3 position with Cati Leak and Callan Molle defeating Rachel Rhoades and Kendall Polan, 21-19, 21-19, 16-14.
The Wildcats closed out the evening with a victory against No. 15 Tulane. The Wildcats (3-0) got off to a quick start in the first round of play as the No. 4 team of Taylor Arizobal and Allie Cook and No. 5 team of Hayley Devlin and Sarah Seiber took the courts in consecutive sets. The No. 4 team defeating Courtney Liddle and Annie Schurtz and No. 5 team getting a victory over Miah Diirell and Sarah Strasner.
Arizona still undefeated, in the No. 2 position, the Arizona team of Madison and McKenna Witt had a close match between Tea Juric and Jacie Wegner in both sets, but still got the victory, 21-19, 24-22. No. 1 team Madi Kingdon and Kaitlyn Leary were on fire and fought through their sets and defeated Madi Murtz and Lan Nguyen, 22-20 and 21-15.
On court three, No. 3 team Rachel Rhoades and Kendall Polan had an intense match closing out the evening. The team was in control for much of the match, it was a thriller and they earned their victory against Grace Wegner and Hannah Holmes, 21-12, 26-24
The Wildcats will be back in action next weekend as they head to Cal Poly. Arizona will take on Caly Poly, Saturday at 11 a.m. and participate in the Cal Poly Pairs Tournament on Sunday at 9 a.m.
Arizona 4 LSU 1
#1 Madi Kingdon/Kaitlyn Leary (Ariz.) def. Katie Lindelow/Mandi Orellana (LSU), 21-16, 21-17
#2 Madison Witt/McKenna Witt (Ariz.) def. Helen Bowle/Lilly Kessler (LSU) 21-12, 21-6
#3 Kendall Polan/ Rachel Rhoades (LSU) def. Catie Leak /Callan Mollee (Ariz), 19-21, 21-19, 16- 14
#4 Taylor Arizobal /Allie Cook (Ariz.) def. Emily Ehrle/Carly Morris (LSU), 21-13, 21-18
#5 Hayley Devlin/Sarah Seiber (Ariz.) def. Riley Young/Cheyenne Wood (LSU), 21-13, 21-18
#6 Emily Kiser/ Olivia Macdonald- Taylor Lang (LSU) def. Laura Whalen/Emma Morris (Ariz.), 17-21, 15-21
Arizona 5 Tulane 0
#1 Madi Kingdon/Kaitlyn Leary (Ariz.) def. Madi Mertz/Lan Nguyen (Tulane), 22-20, 21-15
#2 Madison Witt/McKenna Witt (Ariz.) def. Tea Juric/Jackie Wegner (Tulane) 21-19, 24-22
#3 Kendall Polan/ Rachel Rhoades (Ariz) def. Grace Weaver/Hannah Holmes (Tulane), 21-14, 26-24
#4 Taylor Arizobal /Allie Cook (Ariz.) def. Courtney Liddle/Annie Schurtz (Tulane), 21-19, 21-15
#5 Hayley Devlin/Sarah Seiber (Ariz.) def. Miah Diirell/Sarah Strasner (Tulane), 21-16, 21-11
#6 Emily Kiser/ Olivia Macdonald- Taylor Lang (Ariz.) def. Chrisrina McAfee/Liz Hurring (Tulane), 21-13, 21-15
Arizona Invitational All-Tournament Team
Madi Kingdon – Arizona
Kaitlyn Leary– Arizona
Taylor Arizobal- Arizona
McKenzie Willey – ASU
Sydney Palmer-ASU
Bianca Arellano- ASU
Mandi Orellana – LSU
Katie Lindelow – LSU
Helen Bowle – LSU
Alexia Heist – TCU
Sarah Grantham – TCU
Miah Diirell – Tulane
Sarah Strasner- Tulane
Madeline Mertz- Tulane
For continued coverage of Arizona Wildcat sand volleyball, visit ArizonaWildcats.com and be sure to follow the team on Twitter @ArizonaSandVB and on Instagram @arizonasandvolleyball.
