TUCSON, Ariz.– The Sand Cats put up a fight on the second day of the Cactus Classic, going toe-to-toe with No. 20 Stetson and Boise State. The Sand Cats fell just short in both matches, losing 3-2 in each duel.

Arizona started the day at 11:00AM with an intense battle against Stetson, where three matches went to a deciding third set. 

Kylee Fitzsimmons and Brooke Blutreich went head-to-head in a marathon match against Stetson's Katie Camp and Maria Ozaeta. After dropping the first set 15-21, the Arizona pair fought back with a strong response, taking the second set 21-16 to force a third. The final set was a battle, but Stetson pulled off a 15-13 win, securing a crucial point.

Adriana Nieves Papaleo and Kate Phillips came out dominant from the start, as they controlled the match against Youna Coens and Grace Goudy. The Wildcat duo won in straight sets (21-13, 21-15) to put Arizona on the board with a victory.

Ashlyn Zilliken and Madeline Walker found themselves in a battle after a first-set loss (19-21). The Arizona duo regrouped to take the second set 21-19, pushing the match to a third. Stetson was able to close it out, winning 15-10 in the decider.

Annie Kost and Brooke Boyko started off strong, taking the first set 21-18, but the Hatters made key adjustments, coming back to win the second 21-18. In the third set, both teams exchanged points, but Stetson pulled out a 15-9 win, clinching another point for their team.

Meghan O'Meara and Elin Kaiser took the second set 21-19 after dropping the first, forcing a decisive third. In the end, Arizona won 16-14 to secure the team's second point.

In the afternoon, Arizona took on Boise State at 2:00PM and despite a strong showing, the Sand Cats fell just short once again, dropping another 3-2 decision.

Fitzsimmons and Blutreich battled hard against Boise State's top pair. They pushed the Broncos in the first set, coming close before falling 22-20. In the second, Boise took control and sealed the win with a 21-12 set victory.

Nieves Papaleo and Phillips had one of the most intense matches of the day, trading sets with Addison Wolden and Ava Anderson. After dropping the first 16-21, the Arizona duo came back 21-18 in the second. The third set was tough, but Arizona came out on top 15-10, putting another point on the board.

Zilliken and Walker dominated from start to finish, playing an important match against Boise's Avery Allen and Abbie Wolf. The Arizona pair won 21-16, 21-15 in straight sets to secure a second point for the Wildcats.

Kost and Kaiser faced a tough battle against Emilia Guerra-Acuña and Charlee Ellena. The Arizona pair kept it close in the first set but ultimately fell 21-15. In the second set, they showed resilience, keeping the pressure on Boise before falling 22-20 in another tight finish.

On the final court, Streit and Lambeth won the first set 21-19. However, Boise found their rhythm and took the second 21-17. The third set was an all-out grind, but Boise beat Arizona 15-9 to secure the final point of the match.

The Sand Cats put up a strong fight against opponents, Stetson and Boise State, with both matches coming down to the final set on multiple courts. Arizona showcased resilience, teamwork, and dominance, securing two points in each match despite the close losses.

The Wildcats will look to regroup and bounce back at the Arizona State tournament (Friday, March 7) where they will face their next set of opponents from Cal Poly and Coastal Carolina University in Tempe, Arizona.

Arizona – 2, Stetson – 3

Court 1: Katie Camp / Maria Ozaeta (STET) def. Kylee Fitzsimmons / Brooke Blutreich (ARIZ) 21-15, 16-21, 15-13

Court 2: Adriana Nieves Papaleo / Kate Phillips (ARIZ) def. Youna Coens / Grace Goudy (STET) 21-13, 21-15

Court 3: Marta Carro / Julia Radelczuk (STET) def. Ashlyn Zilliken / Madeline Walker (ARIZ) 21-19, 19-21, 15-10

Court 4: Julia Czurylo / Madeline Camp (STET) def. Annie Kost / Brooke Boyko (ARIZ) 18-21, 21-18, 15-9

Court 5: Meghan O'Meara / Elin Kaiser (ARIZ) def. Vanessa Hurnikova / Hanna Gubik (STET) 11-21, 21-19, 16-14

Arizona – 2, Boise State – 3

Court 1: Sharli O'Neil / Allyson Alden (BOISE) def. Kylee Fitzsimmons / Brooke Blutreich (ARIZ) 22-20, 21-12

Court 2: Adriana Nieves Papaleo / Kate Phillips (ARIZ) def. Addison Wolden / Ava Anderson (BOISE) 16-21, 21-18, 15-10

Court 3: Ashlyn Zilliken / Madeline Walker (ARIZ) def. Avery Allen / Abbie Wolf (BOISE) 21-16, 21-15

Court 4: Emilia Guerra-Acuña / Charlee Ellena (BOISE) def. Annie Kost / Elin Kaiser (ARIZ) 21-15, 22-20

Court 5: Elli Wolthuis / Lily Patock (BOISE) def. Jamie Streit / Katie Lambeth (ARIZ) 19-21, 21-17, 15-9