IRVINE, Calif. – The Concordia beach volleyball team went 1-1 against two schools on Friday, each with the mascot, the Lions.  
 
Just a week prior to this contest, the Eagles faced the Lions of No. 13 Loyola Marymount in Santa Monica and had similar results which was in favor of LMU. Concordia made a few adjustments to the starting line-up, pairing Malory Hanenburg and Veronica Wood together.
 
For the dual, Loyola Marymount took each flight in straight sets, but the pair of Hailee Ryan and Isabella Brown remained competitive. This duo has stayed intact all season along with Vanessa Bernzen and Asia O'Neil who played at the fifth flight.
 
The Eagles line-up remained the same heading into game two against Vanguard. Concordia struck first with a dominant win by Bernzen and O'Neil, winning 21-7, 21-4. The top flight of Kya Bock and Kit McCarty extended the dual lead with a win by a score of 21-11, 21-14.
 
The Lions picked up a win at the fours, but Ryan and Brown clinched the win for Concordia with a three-set victory, 14-21, 21-19, 15-11.
 
However, the day was not over as the third flight of Avery Keathley and Maddy Clark battled their way until the end. The duo eked out a 21-19 win in set one only for Vanguard to come back in the second, 18-21. The Eagles pushed out to a 12-8 lead heading into a side switch, but the Lions fought their way back and tied it up. Down 13-14, Keathley and Clark clawed their way back and finished off strong, taking an 18-17 lead and Keathley tapping down an overpass to end the match.
 
Concordia continues to face tough competition as the Eagles takes on No. 14 Stanford, No. 17 Grand Canyon, and tournament host Irvine Valley College, on Sunday, Mar. 24.
 
For the full Concordia beach volleyball schedule, click here.