Courtesy: Stanford Athletics
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The Stanford beach volleyball team dropped a 4-1 decision against Arizona on Friday in the Pac-12 Conference Championships at Merle Norman Stadium.
“This was a positive showing for us,” said head coach Denise Corlett. “I felt like we competed hard, and Arizona is a great team that has a good shot to make the NCAA Championships. We hope to continue to improve and advance in our match tomorrow.”
Merete Lutz and Halland McKenna won their match at the No. 3 position, 21-13, 21-14, but the third-seeded Cardinal (5-11 overall, 2-3 Pac-12) was unable to erase an early deficit to the Wildcats (16-3, 4-2).
Stanford fell behind early, losing the first two matches of the dual. No. 5 pair Tami Alade and Karina Robinson dropped a 21-8, 21-10 decision while No. 4 duo Courtney Bowen and Jennifer DiSanto lost 21-10, 24-22.
Lutz and McKenna's win at No. 3 put Stanford back in the contest, their team-leading 11th win of the season. The dual was clinched by Arizona when top pair Payton Chang and Hayley Hodson fell 21-17, 21-11. Catherine Raquel and Ivana Vanjak lost their match 19-21, 21-18, 15-11 to make the final score 4-1.
The Cardinal will now compete in the Contender's Bracket, facing the loser of Washington vs. UCLA at 11 a.m. PT on Saturday. Live results will be available at GoStanford.com.
Full Results
1. Madison Witt/McKenna Witt (Arizona) def. Payton Chang/Hayley Hodson (Stanford) 21-17, 21-11
2. Jianna Bonomi/Katarina Schulz (Arizona) def. Catherine Raquel/Ivana Vanjak (Stanford) 19-21, 21-18, 15-11
3. Merete Lutz/Halland McKenna (Stanford) def. Olivia Macdonald/Sam Manley (Arizona) 21-13, 21-14
4. Mia Mason/Kalei/Mau (Arizona) def. Courtney Bowen/Jennifer DiSanto (Stanford) 21-10, 24-22
5. Mackenzie Kleespies/Hailey Pelvin (Arizona) def. Tami Alade/Karina Robinson (Stanford) 21-8, 21-10