TUCSON, Ariz. - The Sand Cats went 2-0 on the second day of the Cactus Classic, finishing their regular season opener undefeated with a 4-0 record.
Arizona started the day at 10 a.m., sweeping UTEP 5-0. The last time the two teams played each other in 2023, the Wildcats won the matchup 4-1.
The Sand Cats ended the day with a closer competition, defeating Boise St. 3-2, with three of the five matches going to three sets. This victory brought Arizona's record against the Broncos to 13-0.
On court one, pair
Hope Shannon/
Grace Cook defeated the Miners in two sets, defeating UTEP's Krista Paegle/Paulina Acuna 21-14, 21-14. Later in the day, the two found themselves in one of the tournament's closest contests against Boise State's Sierra Land/Marlayna Bullington. After losing the first set 17-21, the Wildcats came back to win the second set 21-19, but ultimately fell 12-15 in the third set. The pair went 3-1 in the Cactus Classic.
Abby Russell/
Olivia McElroy repeated their powerful performance from Friday, winning both of their matches in two sets. The pair went 2-0 against UTEP's Madison Hill/
Summer McDonough, winning 21-8, 21-16. Against Boise St., the pair won two straight sets yet again, defeating Rorianna Chartier/Lily Patock 21-14, 21-17. Russell and McElroy were undefeated at the Classic.
Arizona's
Kylee Fitzsimmons/
Annie Kost took control on court three throughout the day, defeating UTEP 21-13, 21-11. The two played an exciting match against Boise State to close out the Classic, defeating the Broncos' Emilia Guerra-Acuna/Ava Anderson in a close three sets: 21-15, 15-21, 15-13. The pair came back from a second-set loss and a deficit in the third to emerge victorious. Fitzsimmons and Kost went 3-1 over the course of the weekend.
Jess Horwath/
Kate Phillips won their first match against UTEP's Mila Popovic and Ema Uskokovic 21-19, 21-14. Later in the afternoon, the pair faced Boise State's Mya Jackson/Addison Wolden in a close competition, winning the first set 21-16, then falling just short in the next two sets 17-21, 7-15. The pair went 3-1 in their first regular season tournament with Arizona.
Pair
Miranda Erro/
Ashlyn Zilliken had a great second day at the Classic, going 2-0 against both opponents. Erro and Zilliken defeated UTEP 21-9, 21-10 and demonstrated a similar strength against Boise State, winning 21-15, 21-10.
Arizona will hit the road next week, competing in the Malibu Invite March 1-2. The Wildcats will face Vanguard and Boise St. Friday and will play Pepperdine Saturday.
Arizona – 5, UTEP – 0
Court 1: Hope Shannon and
Grace Cook (ARIZ) def. Krista Paegle and Paulina Acuna (UTEP) 21-14, 21-14
Court 2: Abby Russell and
Olivia McElroy (ARIZ) def. Madison Hill and
Summer McDonough (UTEP) 21-8, 21-16
Court 3: Kylee Fitzsimmons and
Annie Kost (ARIZ) def. Katie Martin and Marian Ovalle (UTEP) 21-13, 21-11
Court 4: Jess Horwath and
Kate Phillips (ARIZ) def. Mila Popovic and Ema Uskokovic (UTEP) 21-19, 21-14
Court 5: Ashlyn Zilliken and
Miranda Erro (ARIZ) def. Alexis Massey and Katie Call (UTEP) 21-9, 21-10
Arizona – 3 , Boise St. – 2
Court 1: Sierra Land and Marlayna Bullington (BSU) def.
Hope Shannon and
Grace Cook (ARIZ) 21-17, 19-21, 15-12
Court 2: Abby Russell and
Olivia McElroy (ARIZ) def. Rori Chartier and Lily Patock (BSU) 21-14, 21-17
Court 3: Kylee Fitzsimmons and
Annie Kost (ARIZ) def. Emilia Guerra-Acuna and Ava Anderson (BSU) 21-15, 15-21, 15-13
Court 4: Mya Jackson and Addison Wolden (BSU) def.
Jess Horwath and
Kate Phillips (ARIZ) 21-16, 17-21, 15-7
Court 5: Miranda Erro and
Ashlyn Zilliken (ARIZ) def. Sharli O'Neil and Elli Wolthuis (BSU) 21-15, 21-10
