Arizona Christian, ranked #3 in NAIA beach volleyball, edged Wayne State's beach volleyball team 3-2 Thursday afternoon to close out play for the Wildcats on their annual spring break trip to Arizona.  Wayne State is now 5-3 on the season while the host Firestorm improve to 9-4 with the win.
            The Wildcats rallied in both match wins with another match going extra points.  The 2's pairing of Jordan McCormick and Channatee Robles rallied for a 13-21, 21-19, 16-14 win over Arizona Christian's Haley Brown and Riley Brown while the #3 pairing of Brooke Peltz and Ella Myler battled back for a 12-21, 22-20, 15-7 win over the Firestorm's Eliana Cho and Railey Dykstra.
            Wayne State's Brooklyn Kusler and Molly Romano battled to extra points in the first set of their match before falling in the 4's match by scores of 26-24 and 21-17.
            The #1 pairing of Taya Beller and Allie Petry suffered a 21-17, 21-17 loss while the 5's duo of Taylor Bunjer and Rhianna Wilhelm lost by identical 21-17, 21-17 scores.
            In the exhibition match, Wayne State's Laney Kathol and Gracen Evans lost by scores of 21-16, 21-17.    
            Wayne State resumes their beach volleyball season on Tuesday, March 19^th playing at Ottawa University in Shawnee, Kansas. 
             
Arizona Christian 3, Wayne State 2
March 7, 2024
Glendale, Ariz.  (Victory Lane Sports Complex)
 
Arizona Christian 3, Wayne State 2
1. Misty McCall/Mia Scheepens (ACU) def. Taya Beller/Allie Petry (WSC) 21-17, 21-17
2. Jordan McCormick/Channatee Robles (WSC) def. Haley Brown/Riley Brown (ACU) 13-21, 21-19, 16-14
3. Ella Myler/Brooke Peltz (WSC) def. Eliana Cho/Railey Dykstra (ACU) 12-21, 22-20, 15-7
4. Sydney Shaw/Brianna Boeckman (ACU) def. Brooklyn Kusler/Molly Romano (WSC) 26-24, 21-17
5. Amaya Brown/Emily Katzer (ACU) def. Taylor Bunjer/Rhianna Wilhelm (WSC) 21-17, 21-17
 
Exhibition. Alyssa Robles/Brianna Beckler (ACU) def. Laney Kathol/Gracen Evans (WSC) 21-16, 21-17
 
Match Notes:
Wayne State (Neb.) 5-3
Arizona Christian 9-4; National ranking #3
Order of finish:  Doubles (4,2,5,1,3)
Played in waves 2, 4, 6 and 1, 3, 5