Tucson, Ariz. - Arizona remains undefeated at Bear Down Beach after going 4-0 at the Arizona Invitational March 22-23.
On the second day of the Invitational, the Sand Cats defeated Missouri State and Arizona Christian in two 5-0 sweeps.
Pair Abby Russell/Olivia McElroy went 4-0 at No. 1 at the Invitational. On Saturday, the two won an early match against Missouri State in two sets. In the afternoon, the pair fought a tight three sets against Arizona Christian and ultimately emerged with a win (17-21, 21-14, 16-14).
At No. 2, pair Kylee Fitzsimmons/Grace Cook won their two Saturday matches and finished the tournament 4-0. As a pair, Fitzsimmons and Cook are 6-1 (.857) on the season.
Pair Annie Kost/Hope Shannon dominated at No. 3 on Saturday, defeating Missouri State's pair 21-19, 21-14 and ACU's pair 21-8, 21-7. The pair are undefeated (7-0) when playing together at No. 3.
In the morning match against Missouri State, Jess Horwath/Kate Phillips defeated the Bears in a close three sets, winning 21-14, 18-21, 15-11. Phillips and Horwath are 13-3 (.813) as a pair.
Later in the day, Senior Maki Bispham played with partner Kate Phillips against Arizona Christian and the pair secured the third and determining point of the dual for the Wildcats at No. 4.
Ashlyn Zilliken/Miranda Erro took care of business at No. 5 on Saturday, defeating the pairs from Missouri State and Arizona Christian in two sets. The pair went 3-1 at the Invitational and are 10-5 (.667) on the season.
Prior to the Arizona Christian match, the program's six seniors (Mady Noble, Miranda Erro, Hope Shannon, Maki Bispham, Grace Cook and Abby Russell) were honored for their contributions to Arizona Beach Volleyball at a Senior Day Ceremony.
Arizona now faces a stretch of away games. Next weekend, the Cats will travel to Phoenix for the GCU Invitational, where they will compete against Stetson and Grand Canyon University.
Arizona – 5, Missouri State – 0
Court 1: Abby Russell and Olivia McElroy (ARIZ) def. Becca Bach and Manuela Niemeyer (MOST) 21-16, 21-14
Court 2: Kylee Fitzsimmons and Grace Cook (ARIZ) def. MacKenzie Steele and Amanda Cleary (MOST) 21-15, 21-14
Court 3: Annie Kost and Hope Shannon (ARIZ) def. Olivia Muriel and Erin Eschleman (MOST) 21-19, 21-14
Court 4: Jess Horwath and Kate Phillips (ARIZ) def. Olivia Rattler and Allyson Larkin (MOST) 21-14, 18-21, 15-11
Court 5: Alexie Epstein and Kat Georgiadis (SCU) def. Brooke Plessner and Maddie Schrandt (MOST) 21-14, 21-13
Arizona – 5 , Arizona Christian – 0
Court 1: Abby Russell and Olivia McElroy (ARIZ) def. Misty McCall and Mia Scheepens (ACU) 17-21, 21-14, 16-14
Court 2: Kylee Fitzsimmons and Grace Cook (ARIZ) def. Riley Brown and Haley Brown (ACU) 21-16, 21-14
Court 3: Annie Kost and Hope Shannon (ARIZ) def. Eliana Cho and Railey Dykstra (ACU) 21-8, 21-7
Court 4: Jess Horwath and Kate Phillips (ARIZ) def. Sydney Shaw and Brianna Boeckman (ACU)
Court 5: Miranda Erro and Ashlyn Zilliken (ARIZ) def. Amaya Brown and Emily Katzer (ACU) 21-10, 21-12
