SEATTLE, Wash. -- Fourteenh-ranked Arizona beach volleyball defeated Washington in a Friday afternoon doubleheader in Seattle, winning match 1, 3-2, and match 2, 4-1.

"I really liked how we competed today, especially given we didn't have our typical work week," said head coach Steve Walker. "We had illness, injuries, all the usual mid-season ailments that come along with being a student-athlete. Washington is a very well coached team who always brings the fight. We're headed into April in good spirits, but have to keep to our principles and keep striving to get better."

The Cats claimed victory with a final score of 3-2 in their first go around with the Huskies. The pair of Jasmine Safar and Sarah Blacker were the first to secure a win for Arizona, 21-9, 21-12. Ainise Havili and Dana Parker followed their lead earning the second win of the day 15-21, 21-19, 15-11. The duo of Natalie Anselmo and Madison Rigdon clinched the third match to earn the lead that would result in a 3-2 victory. 

After a short break, Arizona took the beach a second time and earned a 4-1 win over Washington. The Cats kept the same rhythm as Safar and Blacker once again put the Cats on the board with the first win of the match 21-9, 21-12, with Havili and Parker earning the second of the mach 15-21, 21-19, 15-11. The Huskies responded to make the score 2-1, but Anselmo and Rigdon battled to earn a 21-12, 21-10 lead and secured the victory. 

The Wildcats head back to the desert where they will have one full week to prepare for the ASU Tournament. April 6 and 7, the Cats will compete in against No. 7 Cal Poly, Utah, Abilene Christian, and rivals Arizona State at the Pera Club in Tempe, Ariz.

UW Tri-Match Results

No. 14 Arizona def. Washington, 3-2

1. Julye/Gengenbacher (UW) def. Hallaran/Mason (Ariz), 21-14, 21-17

2. Bajema/McPherson (UW) def. Baham/Burling (Ariz), 21-18, 21-18

3. Anselmo/Rigdon (Ariz) def. McCoy/Niece (UW), 21-12, 21-10

4. Blacker/Safar (Ariz) def. Petersen/Drechsel (UW), 21-9, 21-12

5. Parker/Havili (Ariz) def. Calle/Weber (UW), 15-21, 21-19, 15-11

Exh. Visser/Newton (UW) def. Cordes/Denny (Ariz), 21-15, 22-20

Order of finish: 4, 5, 3, 1, 2

No. 14 Arizona def. Washington 4-1

1) Julye/Gengenbacher (UW) def. Hallaran/Mason (Ariz), 21-11, 21-18

2) Baham/Burling (Ariz) def. Bajema/McPherson (UW), 19-21, 21-13, 15-12

3) Anselmo/Rigdon (Ariz) def. McCoy/Drechsel (UW), 17-21, 21-17, 15-7

4) Blacker/Safar (Ariz) def. Calle/Niece (UW), 21-12, 21-19

5) Parker/Havili (Ariz) def. Newton/Weber (UW), 18-21, 21-16, 15-12

Exh. Cordes/Denny (Ariz) def. Visser/Petersen (UW), 25-27, 21-19, 15-10

Order of finish: 4, 5, 1, 3, 2


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