TUCSON, Ariz. – The No. 13 Arizona Beach Volleyball team will host the two-day Cactus Classic to open its 2019 season.
The Cats will make their season debut against Colorado Mesa on Friday at 12:30 p.m. This will be the team's third meeting, the last resulting in a 4-1 victory for Arizona.
Their second match will take place at 4:30 p.m. against Boise St. This will be the fourth time the Cats face the Broncos since their 5-0 win in 2015. Tournament play will resume on Saturday when Arizona takes on Benedictine at Mesa at 10:15 a.m., then Boise St. at 1 p.m. Admission to all Beach Volleyball matches are free, and fans are encouraged to come out and support.
"For this weekend, and in reality the entirety of the season, our only goal is going to be to improve our play every time out," said head coach
Steve Walker. "Another immediate goal for this weekend is for our first-year players to familiarize themselves with the college format and style of play."
Six newcomers will be making their season debut this weekend, including graduate transfers
Ainise Havili and
Madison Rigdon. Both Havili and Rigdon completed their undergraduate careers playing indoor volleyball at Kansas. The pair of transfers are joined by four freshmen.
Havili finished her time as a Jayhawk as a Three-time AVCA All-American (2014, 2015, 2016) and Two-time Big-12 Setter of the year (2015, 2016). She also earned many more honors such as Kansas Nominee for Big 12 Female Athlete of the Year (2015-16) ,Three-time All-Big-12 (2014,2015,2016), Three-time AVCA All-Midwest Region First Team (2014,2-15,2016), Three-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week (2015, 2016).
Rigdon also closed out her time at Kansas as an AVCA All-American (2016). Her other honors include Two time All-Big 12 Second and First Team (2015, 2016), AVCA All-Midwest Region First Team (2016), Preseason All-Big 12 (2017), and Big-12 Offensive Player of the Week (2014, 2015, 2017).
They will join the nine returning Cats, including seniors
Mia Mason and
Jordan Abalos.
Mason has been with the program since 2015, her freshman season. Mason joined Arizona Beach Volleyball a year after the program appeared on Arizona's campus. In in her first year, she competed in the #4 position, earning a 9-4 record. Mason spent her sophomore season rotating from the #2 and #4 position, finishing with an 11-13 record. She completed her junior season at the number #3 and 4 position, recording an 8-11 record.
Other returning Wildcats include
Sara Watanabe,
Olivia Hallaran,
Brooke Burling,
Natalie Anselmo,
Caroline Cordes,
Jonny Baham and
Candice Denny.
Coach Walker adds, "For our returning players, to bring their skills to the court and play with grit. This has been a group that has worked hard on their game and has shown signs of being able to at a very high level."
Follow all of the action at Bear Down Beach this weekend at ArizonaLiveStats.com!
Due to the chance of inclement weather, the matches may be rescheduled. Revisit this article, or follow our Twitter (@ArizonaBVB) for updates.
Cactus Classic
Friday, February 22
Benedictine (at Mesa) vs. Boise St. (11:00 a.m.)
(No. 13) Arizona vs. Colorado Mesa (12:30 p.m.)
Colorado Mesa vs. Benedictine (at Mesa) (2:30 p.m.)
(No.13) Arizona vs. Boise St. (4:30 p.m.)
Saturday, February 23
Boise vs. Colorado Mesa (9:00 a.m.)
(No.13) Arizona vs. Benedictine (at Mesa) (10:15 a.m.)
Colorado Mesa vs. Benedictine (at Mesa) (11:30 a.m.)
(No.13) Arizona vs. Boise State (1:00 p.m.)
Follow the Cats!
For continued coverage of Arizona Wildcat Beach Volleyball, visit ArizonaWildcats.com. Fans can keep up with the latest in Arizona Athletics by following us on Twitter (@UAbeachvb), Instagram (@arizonabeachvolleyball), Facebook (ArizonaBeachVolleyball), and Snapchat (Arizonabeachvb).
