The Wildcats closed out Day 1 of the Wildcat Spring Challenge with two additional wins for the season. The 15th-ranked team now holds a 14-8 overall record with new victories over #17 Stetson and Arizona State.
Arizona's first victory ended with a 3-2 final score against #17 Stetson (21-8). The Wildcats' No. 3 and 4 pairs swept the Hatters in straight sets while the No. 5 tandem of Makenna Martin and Caroline Cordes battled Quinci Birker and Rebecca Ingram through a third set, 16-21, 21-12, 15-11.
The No. 1 pair of Natalie Anselmo and Olivia Macdonald fell to Hatters Darby Dunn and Sammee Thomas, 16-21, 16-21. Stetson's No. 2 tandem of Sunniva Helland-Hansen and Carly Perales also defeated the Cats, 21-14, 21-15.
To secure their fourth win in a row, #15 Arizona earned a 4-1 victory over rivals Arizona State (9-12). Arizona's No. 3 team of Kacey Nady and Sara Watanabe fell to Sun Devils Ellyson Lundberg and Katelyn Carballo, 14-21, 20-22, but the Cats came back as the No. 5 team of Makenna Martin and Caroline Cordes claimed their victory in three sets,16-21, 22-20, 19-17.
The Wildcats' No. 1, 2, and 4 secured the win over Arizona State in straight sets. Today's victories bring senior Hailey Devlin to a 14-5 individual record and also Stephany Purdue to a 12-4 individual record.
"Always good to get a win. Always good to get a win at home, especially bringing in tough competition like we did this weekend, so for us, it was an extension of how we've looked recently, said head coach Steve Walker. "I think we had a terrific week of practice and it's just an extension of that. We've got our hands full tomorrow. Cal's got a fine ball club, but we're ready to regroup and go again."
Match play continues tomorrow, April 7, where the Cats will open up Day 2 of the tournament against Colorado Mesa (3-13) at 9:30 a.m. MST followed by #14 California (16-3) at 12:30 p.m. MST.
Full Results:
No. 15 Arizona def. No. 17 Stetson, 3-2
Wildcat Spring Challenge
Bear Down Beach • Tucson, Ariz.
Friday, April 6, 2018
Records: Arizona (14-8), Stetson (21-8)
1. Darby Dunn/Sammee Thomas (STET) def. Natalie Anselmo/Olivia Macdonald (ARIZ) 21-16, 21-16
2. Carly Perales/S. Helland-Hansen (STET) def. Kacey Nady/Sara Watanabe (ARIZ) 21-14, 21-15
3. Stephany Purdue/Hailey Devlin (ARIZ) def. Samantha Harris/Rachel Noble (STET) 21-16, 21-13
4. Jonny Baham/Brooke Burling (ARIZ) def. Lauren Durham/Julie Varga (STET) 21-15, 21-9
5. Makenna Martin/Caroline Cordes (ARIZ) def. Quinci Birker/Rebecca Ingram (STET) 16-21, 21-12, 15-11
No. 15 Arizona def. Arizona State, 4-1
Wildcat Spring Challenge
Bear Down Beach • Tucson, Ariz.
Friday, April 6, 2018
Records: Arizona (14-8), Arizona State (9-12)
1. Natalie Anselmo/Olivia Macdonald (ARIZ) def. Kwyn Johnson/Mia Rivera (ASU) 21-16, 21-16
2. Stephany Purdue/Hailey Devlin (ARIZ) def. Sydney Palmer/Kara Woodard (ASU) 21-14, 21-15
3. Ellyson Lundberg/Katelyn Carballo (ASU) def. Kacey Nady/Sara Watanabe (ARIZ) 21-14, 22-20
4. Jonny Baham/Brooke Burling (ARIZ) def. Cierra Flood/Katie Cross (ASU) 21-15, 21-12
5. Makenna Martin/Caroline Cordes (ARIZ) def. Kate Baldwin/Halle Harker (ASU) 16-21, 22-20, 19-17
Wildcat Spring Challenge Full Schedule:
Friday, April 6
Colorado Mesa vs. No. 17 Stetson 12:00 p.m.
No. 14 California vs. Arizona State 1:00 p.m.
No. 15 ARIZONA vs. No. 17 Stetson 2:30 p.m.
Colorado Mesa vs. Arizona State 4:00 p.m.
No. 14 California vs. No. 17 Stetson 5:00 p.m.
No. 15 ARIZONA vs. Arizona State 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 7
No. 15 ARIZONA vs. Colorado Mesa 9:30 a.m.
No. 14 California vs. Colorado Mesa 11:00 a.m.
No. 15 ARIZONA vs. No. 14 California 12:30 p.m.
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