TUCSON, Ariz.-- The Sand Cats went 2-0 on the first day of the Cactus Classic, starting their regular season off strong. 

Arizona started the day at 11 a.m., defeating the University of San Francisco 5-0. The Sand Cats ended the day with a 4-1 win against CSU Bakersfield.  

Pair Hope Shannon/Grace Cook emerged victorious from a nail-biter in the morning against USF. After facing a 16-21 loss in the first set, Shannon and Cook used their veteran experience to take the next two sets 21-13, 21-19. The pair added another win to Arizona's column later in the afternoon, defeating Bakersfield's Megan Gilbert/Pearl Moore 21-14, 21-14.  

Abby Russell/Olivia McElroy dominated both of their matches. The two went 2-0 against USF's McKenna Towne and Jette Morris, winning 21-14, 21-11. Against Bakersfield, the pair won two straight sets yet again, 21-10, 21-9.  

Arizona's Kylee Fitzsimmons/Annie Kost also took USF in two sets, winning 21-15, 21-13 on court three. The pair faced a close battle against CSU Bakersfield, winning a tight first set 21-19, but falling to the Roadrunners in the final two sets 13-21, 11-15.  

Miranda Erro/Ashlynn Zilliken tallied more victories for Arizona, defeating USF's Francesca Stanschus and Alina Inzunza 21-12, 21-12.  

Freshman pair Jess Horwath/Kate Phillips made their mark in their first match as Wildcats, defeating USF's Rylie Reeves/Branson Lennon 21-9, 21-12 on court four. The two ended the day on the same high note that they started, winning their match against Bakersfield 21-13, 21-14.  

Arizona's Elin Kaiser stepped in against Bakersfield, partnering with Zilliken. The two defeated CSU's Isabella Almeida and Katey Milne 21-19, 21-19. 

After a strong start, Arizona looks ahead to day 2 of the Cactus Classic tomorrow. 

The Sand Cats take on UTEP at 10:00am and Boise St. at 2:00pm at Bear Down Beach Saturday. 

Arizona – 5, USF – 0 

Court 1: Hope Shannon and Grace Cook (ARIZ) def. Letizia Aquilino and Moorea Wood (USF), 16-21, 21-13, 21-19  

Court 2: Abby Russell and Olivia McElroy (ARIZ) def. McKenna Towne and Jette Morris (USF), 21-14, 21-1 

Court 3: Kylee Fitzsimmons and Annie Kost (ARIZ) def. Rainie Stevens and Kaydence Stormes (USF) 21-15, 21-13  

Court 4: Jess Horwath and Kate Phillips (ARIZ) def. Rylie Reeves and Branson Lennon (USF) 21-9, 21-12  

Court 5: Ashlyn Zilliken and Miranda Erro (ARIZ) def. Francesca Stanschus and Alina Inzunza (USF) 21-12, 21-12 

Arizona – 4 , CSU Bakersfield – 1 

Court 1: Hope Shannon and Grace Cook (ARIZ) def. Megan Glibert/Pearl Moore (CSU) 21-14, 21-14   

Court 2: Abby Russell and Olivia McElroy (ARIZ) def. Alyson Cooper and Oliv Silacci-Jensen (CSU) 21-10, 21-9 

Court 3: Ella Erteltova and Vivi Kaelin (CSU) def. Kylee Fitzsimmons and Annie Kost (ARIZ) 18-21, 21-13, 15-11

Court 4: Jess Horwath and Kate Phillips (ARIZ) def. Ava Palm and Ella Ensign (CSU) 21-13, 21-14  

Court 5: Ashlyn Zilliken and Elin Kaiser (ARIZ) def. Isabella Almeida and Katey Milne (CSU) 21-19, 21-19