Sand Devils Fall to No. 14 Arizona in Regular Season Finale

TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona State beach volleyball team (10-18) battled, but ultimately fell short to No. 14 Arizona, 3-2, in its regular season finale at the PERA Club Wednesday night.  

The Sand Devils sprang out of the gate, sweeping the outing's opening flight of matches. Arizona State's ever reliable fours duo of Cierra Flood and Katie Cross garnered a 21-18, 21-15 victory over the Wildcats' Caroline Cordes and MaKenna Martin, to net the Maroon and Gold an early advantage. Samantha Plaster and Kate Baldwin, slotted at the fives, followed suit earning a highly contested three-set (17-21, 21-18, 15-10) win over Arizona's Brooke Burling and Jonny Baha,  

Arizona would ultimately rebound, capturing the night's three remaining matches. The Sand Devils battled to three sets on courts one and two, respectively, narrowly being edged out by Arizona.

1.Olivia Macdonald/Natalie Anselmo (UA) Def. Kwyn Johnson/Mia Rivera (ASU): 19-21, 21-15, 15-11
2. Kacey Nady/Olivia Hallaran (UA) Def. Natalie Braun/Frances Giedraitis (ASU): 24-26, 21-14, 15-10
3. Devlin Hailey/Stephany Purdue (UA) Def. Katelyn Carballo/Ellyson Lundberg (ASU): 21-15, 21-18
4. Cierra Flood/Katie Cross (ASU) Def. Caroline Cordes/MaKenna Martin (UA): 21-18, 21-15
5. Samantha Plaster/Kate Baldwin (ASU) Def. Brooke Burling/Jonny Baham (UA): 17-21, 21-18, 15-10
EXH. Sydney Palmer/Kara Woodard (ASU) Def. Sara Watanabe/Chelsey Harris (UA): 21-16, 21-13

Up next, the Sand Devils will compete in the 2018 Pac-12 Championships, slated to be hosted in Stanford, Calif. April 26-28. Seedlings will be announced Tuesday, April 24.