BOX SCORE

GLENDALE, Ariz. - The Bushnell beach volleyball team opened up their season on Thursday night, taking on No. 5-ranked Arizona Christian University in the Firestorm's first-ever on-campus hosted match, 4-1. This was the opening match of the Sandy Sweetheart Invitational.

The lone victory for the Beacons came in the No. 5 pair where Haley Engelbrecht and Kailey Shirley put together a 21-18, 16-21, 15-12 victory. 

Thursday also saw the debut of Indoor Volleyball All-American Hailey Heider, who pair with Kale Palelek at the No. 1 spot. Two of Bushnell's pairs (No. 2 Olivia Kelzenberg and Jazmyn Wilcox, No. 4 Laci Jespersen and Sydney Myhre) were able to push their opponents to three sets before falling. 

#5 Arizona Christian 4, Bushnell 1 
1. Emee Fellens/Emily Casner (ACU) def. Kate Palelek/Hailey Heider (BU) 21-9, 21-14
2. Jaiden Zeis/Jasmin Joseph (ACU) def. Olivia Kelzenberg/Jazmyn Wilcox (BU) 21-17, 19-21, 15-9
3. Abigail Nelson/Abby Siebert (ACU) def. Monet Panther/Carly Hanna (BU) 21-13, 25-23
4. Alyssa Robles/Haley Tedrow (ACU) def. Laci Jespersen/Sydney Myhre (BU) 19-21, 21-14, 15-10
5. Haley Engelbrecht/Kailey Shirley (BU) def. Kapri Espinosa/Ashlynn Craven (ACU) 21-18, 16-21, 15-12
6. Avery Lenssen/Kaylee Dancer (BU) vs. Aaliyah Malden/Sydney Wade (ACU) no result

UP NEXT: Bushnell continues action in the Sandy Sweetheart Invitational on Friday, taking on NCAA Division II Vanguard University (Calif.) at 10:00 am (MT). They close the day with a scrimmage against Mesa Community College at 12:00 pm (MT).