Lobos Split the Day at GCU Friday

PHOENIX, Ariz.—  The University of New Mexico beach volleyball team split the day on Friday at GCU Beach Volleyball Stadium, falling to No. 17 Grand Canyon 4-1 before sweeping San Diego City College 5-0.

In similar fashion to their season opener against the Lopes on Feb. 22, the Lobos’ sole point came from court one with the duo of Lauren Twitty and Dali Rosado winning in three sets over Hannah Towne and Katie Hess by scores of 21-14, 14-21, 15-11.

Courts two and three pushed their matches to three sets before GCU captured the team point, with Yasmin Tan and Morgan Schreckler losing in a close first set 21-19 before forcing a third set with a  21-12 win. The third set went in favor of GCU by a score of 15-9 to secure the team win for Grand Canyon. On court three, Joey Benson and Carly Beddingfield lost another close first set, 21-18, and like court two, won the second set 21-12. The deciding third set went to GCU 15-4.

Courts four and five were the first two matchups to be finished, both going two sets. Abbey Willison and Emily Nenninger lost in straight sets, 21-15, 21-13, on the fourth court and Claire Nenninger and Jaclyn Inclan lost 21-9, 21-12 on court five.

The Lobos returned to the sand a short time later for a matchup with San Diego City College, in which UNM made quick work en route to the five team points.

All five courts went just two sets and in four sets, the Lobos limited their opposition to single-digit points.

On the first court, Twitty and Rosado won 21-11, 21-8 and Tan and Schreckler took care of court two, 21-15, 21-14. Benson and Beddingfield won 21-8, 21-16 and court four’s paring of Willison and E. Nenninger won 21-17, 21-7. C. Nenninger and Inclan won 21-8, 21-12 to conclude the dual on court five.

UNM returns to action Saturday with an 11:15 a.m. MT match with Arizona Christian University, who lost to GCU 5-0 on Friday afternoon.