Arizona Ends Wildcat Spring Challenge on High Note

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TUCSON, Ariz. – The Arizona Sand Cats wrapped up their final home tournament of the season at Bear Down Beach, going head-to-head with TCU and Pepperdine on the last day of the Wildcat Spring Challenge. Arizona showed grit throughout the day, falling 4-1 to TCU in the morning but bouncing back with a 3-2 win over Pepperdine in the afternoon to close out the tournament.

Arizona played at 10:15 AM against TCU and fought hard across multiple courts.

Ashlyn Zilliken and Madeline Walker delivered Arizona’s one point of the duel with an outstanding performance on court three. The duo defeated Maria Gonzalez and Ana Vergara in straight sets (21-18, 21-16), continuing their dominant run through the weekend.

Adri Nieves Papaleo and Kate Phillips battled on court one against the powerhouse duo of Daniela Alvarez and Hailey Hamlett. The Wildcat pair kept it close in both sets but ultimately fell 21-16, 21-19.

Kylee Fitzsimmons and Brooke Blutreich matched up with Allanis Navas and Sofia Izuzquiza on court two but were unable to break through, falling 21-13, 21-13.

On court four, Annie Kost and Elin Kaiser kept things competitive but couldn’t overcome Morgan Williams and Anhelina Khmil, dropping the match 21-15, 21-18.

Brooke Boyko and Katie Lambeth pushed their opponents Hallie Corinne Frist and Elea Beutel on court five. After dropping the first set 21-18, the Wildcats took the second 21-19 and went for a deciding third. In a back-and-forth battle, Arizona barely missed out, falling 19-17 in the final frame.

In the afternoon match at 1:45 PM, the Sand Cats regrouped to take on Pepperdine and closed out their home tournament with a 3-2 victory.

Zilliken and Walker once again set the tone on court three, dominating Kenzi McSpadden and Gabriella Perez 21-10, 21-13 in a straight-set win.

Kost and Kaiser followed with a clean sweep of their own, defeating Emi Erickson and Deanie Woodruff 21-15, 21-19 on court four to put Arizona up 2-0.

Brooke Boyko and Katie Lambeth came through on court five. After dropping the first set 21-18 to Emma Bubelis and Marley Johnson, the Wildcats stormed back with a 21-23, 21-15, 15-10 victory to clinch the match for Arizona.

On court one, Nieves Papaleo and Phillips went head-to-head with Kate Clermont and McKenna Thomas. Despite a strong second set effort, the Wildcats fell in three sets 21-14, 23-25, 15-11.

Fitzsimmons and Blutreich competed in a back-and-forth duel on court two against Emma Eden and Ella Foti. After dropping the first set 21-15, they responded with a 21-19 win in the second, but Pepperdine sealed the win 15-12 in the third.

Today Arizona showed resilience, splitting the day’s matches and closing out the final home tournament on a high note.

Arizona – 1, TCU – 4

Court 1: Daniela Alvarez / Hailey Hamlett (TCU) def. Adri Nieves Papaleo / Kate Phillips (ARIZ) 21-16, 21-19
Court 2: Allanis Navas / Sofia Izuzquiza (TCU) def. Kylee Fitzsimmons / Brooke Blutreich (ARIZ) 21-13, 21-13
Court 3: Ashlyn Zilliken / Madeline Walker (ARIZ) def. Maria Gonzalez / Ana Vergara (TCU) 21-18, 21-16
Court 4: Morgan Williams / Anhelina Khmil (TCU) def. Annie Kost / Elin Kaiser (ARIZ) 21-15, 21-18
Court 5: Hallie Corinne Frist / Elea Beutel (TCU) def. Brooke Boyko / Katie Lambeth (ARIZ) 18-21, 21-19, 19-17

Arizona – 3, Pepperdine – 2

Court 1: Kate Clermont / McKenna Thomas (PEPP) def. Adri Nieves Papaleo / Kate Phillips (ARIZ) 21-14, 23-25, 15-11
Court 2: Emma Eden / Ella Foti (PEPP) def. Kylee Fitzsimmons / Brooke Blutreich (ARIZ) 21-15, 19-21, 15-12
Court 3: Ashlyn Zilliken / Madeline Walker (ARIZ) def. Kenzi McSpadden / Gabriella Perez (PEPP) 21-10, 21-13
Court 4: Annie Kost / Elin Kaiser (ARIZ) def. Emi Erickson / Deanie Woodruff (PEPP) 21-15, 21-19
Court 5: Brooke Boyko / Katie Lambeth (ARIZ) def. Emma Bubelis / Marley Johnson (PEPP) 18-21, 21-15, 15-10