Cats Sweep Colorado Mesa in Season Opener
TUCSON, Ariz. – The No. 9 Arizona sand volleyball team swept Colorado Mesa in their first match of the regular season at Bear Down Beach earlier today.
"I really liked the performance from our ones and our fives," said Head coach Steve Walker. "I think Madison and McKenna were great on court one. They were very focused and efficient and it was really what we were looking for when we play against a team like Colorado Mesa who is a startup program. Hailey and Mackenzie also looked the part by playing a low era game and being efficient."
The Arizona No. 5 team of Hailey Devlin and Mackenzie Kleespies earned the team's first victory of the day on court two as they defeated Natalie Todd and Rachel Moralez by a score of 21-9, 21-9.
Playing in the four spot on court one, the Arizona tandem of freshman Mia Mason and Sara Pantovic won consecutive sets against Ali Svorinic and Zee Edwards (21-16, 21-14) before the No. 6 duo of Tyler Lucas and Nikki Attea took the both sets against Celeste Henderson and Alyssa Chutka (21-8, 21-13).
In the next round of competition, Arizona's No. 1 team of the twins, Madison and McKenna Witt earned a straight set victory over Taylor Woods and Erin Perez, (21-6, 21-8).
Meanwhile, the team of Jianna Bonomi and Katarina Schulz compeleted the sweep for the Wildcats at the No. 2 position as they dominated Hana Peterman and Naiome Pinnecuse, (21-10, 21-17).
Arizona's No. 3 pair of Samantha Manley and Olivia Macdonald earned a victory as they won the match against the Mavericks' pair, Kricket Adleman and Megan Gianinetti in consecutive sets, (21-13, 21-11).
The Arizona Invitational kicks off tomorrow at 10 a.m., with the cats back in action at 2 p.m. MST against TCU and later against California at 6 p.m. MST.
Arizona 5, Colorado Mesa 0
#1 Madison Witt/ McKenna Witt (Ariz.) def. Taylor Woods/ Erin Perez (Colorado Mesa), 21-6, 21-8
#2 Jianna Bonomi/Katirina Schulz (Ariz.) def. Hana Peterman/ Naiome Pinnecuse (Colorado Mesa), 21-10, 21-17
#3 Samantha Manley/ Olivia Macdonald (Ariz.) def. Kricket Adleman/ Megan Gianinetti (Colorado Mesa), 21-13, 21-11
#4 Mia Mason/Sara Pantovic (Ariz.) def. Ali Svorinic/ Zee Edwards (Colorado Mesa), 21-16, 21-4
#5 Hailey Devlin/Mackenzie Kleespies (Ariz.) def. Natalie Todd/ Rachel Moralez (Colorado Mesa), 21-9, 21-9
#6 Tyler Lucas/ Nikki Attea (Ariz.) def. Celeste Henderson/ Alyssa Chutka (Colorado Mesa), 21-8, 21-13
Arizona Invitational
Friday, March 04
TCU VS. Cal Poly (10 a.m.)
California vs. LMU (12 p.m.)
Arizona vs. TCU (2 p.m.)
LMU vs. Cal Poly (4 p.m.)
Arizona vs. California (6 p.m.)
Saturday, March 05
California vs. Cal Poly (9 a.m.)
Arizona vs. LMU (11 a.m.)
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