Cats Down CSUB and New Mexico in First Day of Play

TUCSON, Ariz. - Seventh-ranked Arizona sand volleyball earned back-to-back sweeps as they defeated CSU Bakersfield, 5-0 and New Mexico Lobos, 5-0 this afternoon. The Cats improved to a 7-1 record with these victories.

UA got off to a powerful start. The Sand Cat's No. 5 team of Hailey Devlin and MacKenzie Kleespies opened play with the first win against the RoadRunners duo of Amanda Schoene and Katie Dunbar-Lowe, 21-14, 21-12.

At the No. 2 position Jianna Bonomi and Katarina Schulz earned a victory against Edith Urias and Jocelyn Rodrguez on court two, 21-13, 21-8.

Mia Mason and Sara Pantovic who are Arizona's No. 4 pair took down Courtney Freeland and Sophie Flemion in a hard fought battle, 22-20, 21-16.

Meanwhile, the No. 2 tandem of Madison and McKenna Witt defeated CSUB's Sydney Hayes and Carol Grasso, 21-12, 21-17.

The Wildcats' No. 3 pair of Olivia Macdonald and Sam Manley picked up a victory against Kayla Tinker and Kelsey Sawyer, 21-17, 21-13.

Tyler Lucas and Kalei Mau dominated in their exhibition match against the RoadRunners pairs of Lisa Armendariz and Ally Barber, 21-10, 21-18.

Arizona would go on to sweep New Mexico as well in dominant fashion. The Cats did not drop a set in the 5-0 victory.

The No. 1 team of Madison and McKenna Witt went to three sets, but defeated the New Mexico's Ashley Kelsey and Cassie House in a tight match 21-9, 18-21, 15-12.

Meanwhile, UA's No. 2 team of Jianna Bonomi and Katarina Schulz dominated the Lobos duo of Chloe Crappell and Lise Rugland, 21-13, 21-9.

Olivia Macdonald and Sam Manley of the No. 3 pair got a victory over Julia Warren and Hannah Johnson on court three 21-17, 21-8.  

Arizona's No. 5 tandem of Hailey Devlin and MacKenzie Kleespies took their match against CSUB's duo of Carson Hileborn and Maddie Mayfield, 21-14, 21-13.

The Sand Cat's No. 4 pair of Mia Mason and Sara Pantovic battled against Marisa Doran and Easton Baletto and earned a victory, 21-17, 26-24.

Tyler Lucas and Nikki Attea of the No. 6 team, took court three in their exhibition match in consecutive sets, 21-11, 21-11.

UA closed out the day of play undefeated.

Catch the Cats on Saturday, March 26 for another round of play against Cal St. Northridge at 12 p.m. MST to close out the Wildcat Spring Challenge.

Wildcat Spring Challenge

Saturday

New Mexico vs. CSU Bakersfield (10 a.m.)

Arizona vs. CSUN (12:00 p.m.)

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