TUCSON, Ariz. — The UC Davis duo of
Paloma Bowman and
Colleen McGuire posted a straight-set victory at the ones to claim their team's lone point of the day as the Aggies battled two more nationally ranked foes in No. 10 Grand Canyon and No. 13 Arizona to open day one of the 2021 Arizona Invitational at Bear Down Beach in Tucson, Ariz., on Friday.
UC Davis fell to 3-12 overall on the season, falling to the 'Lopes by a 5-0 score in its tournament opener before taking a point from the host Wildcats in a 4-1 defeat later in the day. The Aggies, who entered the week having faced the most nationally ranked opponents of any Big West Conference school, conclude play against Colorado Mesa and Missouri State on Saturday (April 3) at 9 a.m. and Noon, respectively.
Bowman and McGuire opened their day by nearly taking a point off No. 10-ranked Grand Canyon at the top spot, opening with a 21-18 victory in the first set before being edged by the same score in the second. The 'Lopes duo of Bella Bauman and Teagan DeFalco then clinched the match with a narrow 15-11 win in the third. Grand Canyon then swept the remaining four pairs in straight sets en route to the shutout.
The Aggies then quickly turned around for the second half of its doubleheader, and Bowman and McGuire, this time, came through with a victory, downing Alana Rennie and Alex Parkhurst in straight sets, 23-21, 21-16. It was the tandem's team-best fourth win at the ones — and their fifth overall — this season.
Bailey Herdman and
Alicia Letvin nearly made it a second point against the Wildcats, bouncing back from a first-set defeat to win the second, 21-18, only to have Arizona take the victory with a 15-6 win in the third.
NCAA WOMEN'S BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Apr 02, 2021 at Tucson, Ariz. (Bear Down Beach)
#10 Grand Canyon 5, UC Davis 0
1. Bauman, Bella/DeFalco, Teagan (GCU) def. Bowman, Paloma/McGuire, Colleen (UCD) 18-21, 21-18, 15-11
2. Evans, Anaya/Navas, Allanis (GCU) def. Reed, Heather/Luly, Megan (UCD) 21-15, 21-16
3. Hansen, Allison/Hoffmann, Paula (GCU) def. Goycoochea, Ashlee/Seslar, Jane (UCD) 21-8, 21-15
4. Relaz, Madi/Jarzombek, Taylor (GCU) def. Smith, Madelin/Letvin, Alicia (UCD) 21-7, 21-17
5. Sarber, Katie/Honzovicova, Natalie (GCU) def. Rockas, Alexa/Herdman, Bailey (UCD) 21-15, 21-13
Order of finish: 2,4,5,3,1
#13 Arizona 4, UC Davis 1
1. Bowman, Paloma/McGuire, Colleen (UCD) def. Rennie, Alana/Parkhurst, Alex (ARIZ) 23-21, 21-16
2. Burling, Brooke/Blacker, Sarah (ARIZ) def. Reed, Heather/Luly, Megan (UCD) 21-13, 21-16
3. Anselmo, Natalie/Lowry, Carly (ARIZ) def. Goycoochea, Ashlee/Seslar, Jane (UCD) 21-14, 21-18
4. Hallaran, Olivia/Baham, Jonny (ARIZ) def. Rockas, Alexa/Smith, Madelin (UCD) 21-17, 21-7
5. Noble, Mady/Parker, Dana (ARIZ) def. Letvin, Alicia/Herdman, Bailey (UCD) 21-15, 18-21, 15-6
Order of finish: 2,3,4,1,5
ABOUT UC DAVIS
Over 700 student-athletes across 25 intercollegiate athletics teams, following the addition of equestrian and women's beach volleyball in 2018, represent the fifth-ranked public school in the nation.
Centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe and the Napa Valley, UC Davis is known nationwide as a leader in Title IX gender equity and leadership, ranks annually in the top 10 in diversity and students' social mobility and offers an unrivaled student-athlete experience that features the ideal combination of elite academics, Division I athletics and personal growth.
UC Davis is uncommonly committed to preparing student-athletes for life after graduation with Aggie EVO — an innovative student-athlete outcomes program that helps young women and men develop passions, gain real-world experience, and enjoy a successful launch to full-time employment or graduate school. Through Aggie EVO, Intercollegiate Athletics provides unmatched resources and a vast network of working professionals to ensure post-graduation success for its student-athletes.
