Mesa, Ariz. – The Park Gilbert beach volleyball team split a pair of matches during the first day of their weekend long jamboree, starting off strong with a 5-0 win against Benedictine Mesa, followed by a 4-1 loss to the Warriors of Westcliff University.

Match 1: Park Gilbert 5, Benedictine Mesa 0

In the series opener, No. 1 Megan Hicks and Annika Wallace claimed the first set before falling 12-21 in the second. The two came back and secured a 2-1 win over Benedictine's Anabelle Somoza and Kylie Bartel after taking the third set.

The No. 2 (Grace Baker, Georgia Romine-Black), No. 4 (Brittlee Harper, Jasmine Urban), and No. 5 (Railey Druxman, Mallory Turner) overpowered their opponents in two sets. Brooke Beresford and Sam Washmuth in the No. 3 spot cruised through the first round of rallies, taking a 21-13 win. They dropped their second set, but were able to bounce back with a 15-12 win.

Match 2: Westcliff University 4, Park University Gilbert 1

Unfortunately for the Buccaneers, they would meet their match in the second round of competition against Westcliff University. Beresford and Washmuth in the No. 3 position recorded the only Buccaneer win after taking Brooke Scheidle and Leanna Zamora to three sets.

The No. 2's Baker and Romine-Black played a competitive match but couldn't hold on in the third and final set, dropping to the Warriors 7-15. The remaining Buccaneers on courts one, four, and five came up short of a set win. 

Park will continue their home streak with a game against the University of Saint Katherine on March 11 at 3 p.m. followed by Colorado Mesa University on March 12 at 9 a.m.

FINAL: Park Gilbert 5, Benedictine Mesa 0

1. Megan Hicks/Annika Wallace (PARK) Def. Anabelle Somoza/Kylie Bartel (BENU) 2-1 (22-20, 12-21, 15-10)

2. Grace Baker/Georgia Romine-Black (PARK) Def. Ania Brytkowska/Kahiau Ka'alele (BENU) 2-0 (21-155, 21-18)

3. Brooke Beresford/Sam Washmuth (PARK) Def. Keelan Memory/Christina Sanchez (BENU) 2-1 (21-13, 13-21, 15-12)

4. Brittlee Harper/Jasmine Urban (Park) Def. Courtney Ely/Amanda Klotz (BENU), 2-0 (21-16, 21-12)

5. Railey Druxman/Mallory Turner (Park) Def. Amanda Lopez/Danyell Lopez (BENU), 2-0 (21-11, 21-16)

FINAL: Westcliff 4, Park Gilbert 1

1. Fiona Moesching/ Marine Kinna (WU) def Megan Hicks/Annika Wallace (PARK) 2-0 (21-12, 21-14)

2. Gianna Guinasso/ Mia Scheepens (WU) def Grace Baker/Georgia Romine-Black (PARK) 2-1 (19-21, 21-13, 15-7)

3. Brooke Beresford/Sam Washmuth (PARK) Def. Brooke Scheidle/Leanna Zamora (WU) (21-17, 18-21, 15-8)

4. Maddie Shepston/ Sabrina Galassi (WU) Def. Brittlee Harper/Jasmine Urban (PARK), 2-0 (21-10, 21-13)

5. Chloe Johnson/Faith Webb (WU) Def. Railey Druxman/Mallory Turner (PARK) 2-0 (21-18, 21-16)