IRVINE, Calif. – The Concordia University Irvine beach volleyball team hosted Westcliff and Arizona Christian in their home opener of the 2023 season. CUI picked up two dominate wins with scores 4-1 against Westcliff and 5-0 against Arizona Christian.
 
In the first game of the day the Golden Eagles defeated Westcliff 4-1 as the one slot dropped in two sets but the other four were able to collect wins to secure the victory. Tatum Smith and Kelia Giusta lost the first set but came back to win the next two holding their opponents to 15 and 7. In the fifth slot Lily Dyer and Carly Moreno dropped the first but then dominated in the second holding Westcliff with just nine points. The third set was a battle between the two but the Green and Gold came out on top with the win.
 
All pairings went to two sets while Hannah Phair and Olivia Highstreet went the distance going three. After winning the first set ACU came back to win the second set by a close 22-24 and forcing a third set. The Golden Eagles came out fighting and defeated Arizona Christian to help with the sweep.
 
 
CUI vs. Westcliff

1. Hannah Phair/Olivia Highstreet – 16-21, 18-21
2. Tatum Smith/Kelia Giusta – 19-21, 21-15, 15-7
3. Sara Ostojic/Hailee Ryan – 21-11, 21-15
4. Eva Prewitt/Kelissa Lemoine – 21-14, 21-12
5. Lily Dyer/Carly Moreno – 19-21, 21-9, 15-12
6. Lauren Clifton/Ashleigh Souza – 21-11, 12-7
7. Alex Omaszta/Nicole Miller – 19-21, 21-13, 15-10

 
CUI vs. Arizona Christian

1. Hannah Phair/Olivia Highstreet def. Misty McCall/Brianna Boeckman – 21-14, 22-24, 15-7
2. Tatum Smith/Kelia Giusta def. Amaya Brown and Haley Brown – 21-17, 21-10
3. Eva Prewitt/Kelissa Lemoine def. Brianna Beckler and Riley Brown – 21-13, 21-16
4. Lily Dyer/Carly Moreno def. Sydney Shaw and Katey Shockey – 21-15, 21-15
5. Lauren Clifton/Ashleigh Souza def. Anna Kate Clark and Madelyn Guinn – 21-19, 21-15

 
The Golden Eagles move to 2-4 on the season and will be on the road Saturday Mar. 4 as they take on Pepperdine and LMU in Malibu, Calif. Games have slated start times of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
 
To see the full CUI beach volleyball schedule click HERE.