Beach Volleyball Falls on Day One of Wildcat Spring Challenge

Brittany Gillingham teamed up with Gretchen Reinert to take a set for the Broncos at No. 4 against New Mexico on Friday.

Posted: Apr 12, 2019

TUCSON, Ariz. — Santa Clara beach volleyball dropped two duals on Friday during day one of the Arizona-hosted Wildcat Spring Challenge. The Broncos fell in 5-0 decisions against New Mexico and the No. 13 Wildcats at Bear Down Beach.

The Broncos (2-10) wrap up the event Saturday against NAIA Ottawa at 9 a.m. before a rematch against Arizona at 1 p.m.

Brittany Gillingham/Gretchen Reinert scored a set win for the Broncos against the Lobos (9-12) at No. 4. They won the first set 21-19 before New Mexico's Abbey Wilson/Emily Nenninger took the next two frames. Alex Anthony/Chloe Loreen battled past the 21-point mark in the second set of their match at No. 2 and were narrowly edged 22-20 by Morgan Schreckler/Yasmine Tan.

The Wildcats (19-4) extended their season-long winning streak to nine duals with a pair of victories on the day; they defeated Ottawa 5-0 in their first dual.

"I felt like we let some sets get away from us versus New Mexico which really hurt us early," associate head coach Jeff Alzina said. "They were solid at all positions and we're not easy to beat, but we could have competed harder against them.

"I was pleased with the way we competed against Arizona, a perennially competitive top-ranked program. We were especially strong at the ones and the twos and I think we will even be better tomorrow now that we understand the conditions and how to play on the specific courts. We showed some good signs at the end of the day and definitely have it our goal to win the dual against Ottawa tomorrow."

NEW MEXICO 5 SANTA CLARA 0

1. Lauren Twitty/Dali Rosado (UNM) def. Michelle Gajdka/Anna McCreadie (SCU) 21-12, 21-15
2. Morgan Schreckler/Yasmine Tan (UNM) def. Alex Anthony/Chloe Loreen (SCU) 21-10, 22-20
3. Joey Benson/Carly Beddingfield (UNM) def. Liliana Light/Kathryn LeBaron (SCU) 21-15, 21-19
4. Abbey Wilson/Emily Nenninger (UNM) def. Gretchen Reinert/Brittany Gillingham (SCU) 19-21, 21-16, 15-9
5. Jaclyn Inclan/Claire Nenninger (UNM) def. Alexa Dreyer/Natalia Rentsch (SCU) 21-8, 21-15

NO. 13 ARIZONA 5 SANTA CLARA 0

1. Mia Mason/Olivia Hallaran (ARIZ) def. Michelle Gajdka/Anna McCreadie (SCU) 21-16, 21-13
2. Jonny Baham/Brooke Burling (ARIZ) def. Alex Anthony/Chloe Loreen (SCU) 21-18, 21-13
3. Natalie Anselmo/Madison Rigdon (ARIZ) def. Brittany Gillingham/Gretchen Reinert (SCU) 21-11, 21-12
4. Sarah Blacker/Jasmine Safar (ARIZ) def. Liliana Light/Kathryn Decker (SCU) 21-10, 21-15
5. Ainise Havili/Dana Parker (ARIZ) def. Alexa Dreyer/Natalia Rentsch (SCU) 21-13, 21-15