TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of San Francisco beach volleyball team began its 2020 campaign on Friday falling to Boise State 5-0 and No. 15 Arizona 5-0 on the opening day of the Cactus Classic at Bear Down Beach.
 
USF (0-2) opened the day with a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Boise State (1-1) in the morning before falling to the tournament host, Arizona (2-0), 5-0 in the afternoon. 
 
"Overall the competition was a great teacher today," said third-year head coach Frank Lavrisha. "We know what to improve upon for day two against two worthy opponents in Missouri State and (Arizona State). Would've liked to have played Boise State with a match or two under our belts.
 
"(Anna) Dalla Vecchia (and Laurie) McGrath finished the day strong, nearly upsetting U of A's 1s. It was a baptism of sorts for Laurie and collegiate beach volleyball. (Lauren) Speckman (and Emily) Zinger played a solid match and had a great opportunity versus Boise State, as did (Tanner) Pemberton and (Sophie) Sydenham."
 
The Dons' top returner Anna Dalla Vecchia was partnered with freshman Laurie McGrath, who had a strong showing in her collegiate beach debut. The two began the day falling to Boise State's duo of Ohlinger/Martin, 21-19, 22-20. In the afternoon against the top pair belonging to the nationally ranked Wildcats, Dalla Vecchia and McGrath took the first set 21-16. In the third and final set, the Dons duo battled but fell, 15-12.
 
Against the Broncos, USF's tandem of Lauren Speckman and Emily Zinger went to three sets, falling 21-19, 15-21, 15-10. Tanner Pemberton and Sophie Sydenham won their second set, 21-18, and eventually fell in the third set, 18-16.
 
In the afternoon, Dalla Vecchia and McGrath were the only duo to go three sets. USF will wrap up the tournament tomorrow when they take on Missouri State at 10 a.m. before wrapping up the tournament against No. 20 Arizona State.
 
Boise State 5, USF 0
1. Lauren Ohlinger-Erin Martin (BSU) def. Anna Dalla Vecchia-Laurie McGrath 21-19, 22-20
2. Ellie McDonald-Katie Martin (BSU) def. Lauren Speckman-Emily Zinger 19-21, 21-15, 15-10
3. Danielle Boss-Jensen Allen (BSU) def. Shannon Levinson-Ella Reames 21-17, 21-13
4. Joey Benson-Alyssa Wissinger (BSU) def. Tanner Pemberton-Sophie Sydenham 21-15, 18-21, 18-16
5. Kylee Johnson-Olivia Bradley (BSU) def. Trish Koutsoukos-Katie Wagstaff 21-11, 21-18
Order of Finish: 2, 4, 5, 3, 1

No. 15 Arizona, USF 0
1. Brooke Burling-Olivia Hallaran (ARIZ) def. Anna Dalla Vecchia-Laurie McGrath 16-21, 25-15, 15-12
2. Alex Parkhurst-Sarah Blacker (ARIZ) def. Lauren Speckman-Emily Zinger 19-21, 21-15, 15-10
3. Natalie Anselmo-Carly Lowry (ARIZ) def. Shannon Levinson-Ella Reames 21-11, 21-5
4. Dana Parker-Lauren Orlich (ARIZ) def. Tanner Pemberton-Sophie Sydenham 21-10, 21-12
5. Caroline Cordes-Alana Rennie (ARIZ) def. Trish Koutsoukos-Katie Wagstaff 21-8, 21-13
Order of Finish: 2, 4, 3, 5, 1