Second Chance at Title Defense Starts in Victorious Fashion

GLENDALE, ARIZ. - After the first attempt to defend its AVCA National Championship was cut short in 2020, the OUAZ beach volleyball team opened its second try on Friday in Glendale. The Spirit went 2-1 on the day, losing its first ever dual to an NAIA school.

OUAZ 3, The Master's 2
While the official score was close, the Spirit took the dual in the first three matches. Claire Nenninger and Mia Lara scored a convincing 21-9, 21-8 victory to give OUAZ the 1-0 lead. Returners Katia Dizon and Abbey Willison cruised through the first set of their match, and wrapped it up with a 21-15 win in the second set.

Noel Chavarria and Andrea Edwards gave OUAZ the dual win with a 21-16, 21-15 performance over Chloe Johnson and Tara Delk. The Spirit lost the last two matchups, and while it did not make a difference in the dual final, it did bring an end to OUAZ's 26-match win streak.

Vanguard 3, OUAZ 2
Each time the Spirit faced Vanguard, the Lions played better each time. Friday's second dual saw Vanguard finally get the best of OUAZ, the first time in program history the Spirit lost to an NAIA school.

Four of the five matches needed three set, with Nenninger/Lara the only pair winning in two. OUAZ took a 2-0 lead when Willison/Dizon took down Kayla Tinker and Carly Mckinney 15-9 in the final set.

Vanguard managed to win the fours and the ones, and the final point came down to an intense battle in the threes. Chavarria/Edwards had the lead in the final set of their match with Sydney Irwin and Emilee Hall, but the Vanguard pair was able to battle to a 15-13 win to clinch OUAZ's first conference loss in history.

OUAZ 5, Hope International 0
The Spirit had a chance to leave Victory Lanes Park on a high note, and they took advantage of it. OUAZ already started up 2-0 after Hope forfeited two matches.

Dizon/Willison and Brittany Western/Serrano took their matches in two sets, each by the score of 21-17, 21-13. Chavarria/Edwards went to the third set again, but closed out their win 15-12.

The Spirit are not scheduled to play again until March 5, but that is subject to change. Visit ouazspirit.com for the latest on the beach volleyball schedule.

Print Friendly Version