IRVINE, Calif. - The Concordia University Irvine beach volleyball team celebrated nine seniors Saturday while welcoming in a pair of ranked teams in No.6 Loyola Marymount and No. 7 Pepperdine.

The Eagles opened the day with great energy going back and forth with the LMU which kept the Lions on their toes early.  LMU broke away late in the matches to secure the 5-0 victory. Sara Ostojic and Nickie Hughes were able to battle back from an early deficit and only fall by five points to the Lions. Hailee Ryan showed her athleticism defensively running from line to line making some incredible plays throughout her match.

"Today's games truly was our team definition of fight-competing against some top programs," said senior Kya Bock. "As a senior on this team I am so proud of us competing! Playing against Pepperdine was one of the best times I've ever competed at Concordia coming up just short by two points. Adrenaline and joy truly took over that game and can't wait to finish this season strong and compete with these girls!"

Next up was the Pepperdine Waves, which was the second match-up between the two of the season as the first battle was only six days ago! All around Green and Gold fought hard with the Waves really making them work for every point. Six out of the ten sets the sandy birds played in were losses of less than five points. Mia Corippo and Alexis Dirige nearly won the first set playing into extra points but falling just short 25-23. Kya Bock and Marina Pilkington fought hard and scared Pepperdine in both of their sets narrowly losing 21-19 and 21-17.

Senior Nickie Hughes summed up the day saying, "Senior day was made special by our teams hard work and endurance in competing in a long and competitive week. I could not be more proud of our program as our continued hard work doesn't allow for opponents to win easily."

"The team was ready to put in the work after seeing both Pepperdine & LMU earlier this season," added junior Veronica Wood. "The sandy birds put up a fight and are fired up to finish the season strong."

The Eagles will travel to Northridge, Calif. to take on Cal State Northridge and Saint Katherine Saturday, April 3 with times slated at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

LMU 5, CUI 0

No. 1 - Reka Orsi Toth/Selina Marolf (LMU) def. Ellie Cary/Vanessa Bernzen (CUI) - 21-10, 21-13
No. 2 - Megan Rice/Iva Lindahl (LMU) def. Hailee Ryan/Avery Keathley (CUI) - 21-9, 21-9
No. 3 - Jessie Prichard/Savannah Slattery (LMU) def. Mia Corippo/Alexis Dirige (CUI) - 21-8, 21-13
No. 4 - Darby Dunn/Sydnie Herrmann (LMU) def. Sara Ostojic/Nickie Hughes (CUI) - 21-11, 21-16
No. 5 - Madi Firnett/Emma Doud (LMU) def. Shannon Evans/Alex Omaszta (CUI) - 21-12, 21-12
Exh. - Michaela Rezentes/Georgia Fusco (LMU) def. Jamie Sakasegawa/Marina Pilkington (CUI) - 21-8, 21-15

Pepperdine 5, CUI 0

No. 1 - Carly Skjodt/Brook Bauer (PEPP) def. Ellie Cary/Vanessa Bernzen (CUI) - 21-9, 21-16
No. 2 - Simone Priebe/Melanie Paul (PEPP) def. Hailee Ryan/Avery Keathley (CUI) - 21-13, 21-18
No. 3 - Sutton Mactavish/Alexis Filippone (PEPP) def. Sara Ostojic/Nickie Hughes (CUI) - 21-17, 21-18
No. 4 - Jordan Benoit/Mary Sinclair (PEPP) def. Mia Corippo/Alexis Dirige (CUI) - 25-23, 21-15
No. 5 - Katie Gavin/Michaela Kasper (PEPP) def. Kya Bock/Marina Pilkington (CUI) - 21-19, 21-17
Exh. - Kristine Briede/Cameron Baklenko (PEPP) def. Shannon Evans/Alex Omaszta (CUI) - 21-12, 21-15