PHOENIX, Ariz. – For the second straight day the No. 5 University of Hawai'i women's sand volleyball team split a pair of matches on the mainland. The Rainbow Wahine cruised past host Grand Canyon, 5-0, before being upset by unranked Loyola Marymount, 3-2, Saturday at Victory Lanes Sports Park on the campus of Grand Canyon.
 
The Rainbow Wahine (3-2) started the day by making quick work of Grand Canyon, which was hosting its first-ever sand volleyball event. UH won in straight sets on four courts. The feature court proved the most competitive with No. 1 Natasha Bell and Jane Croson eventually defeating Mackenzie Phelps and Shannon Dugan, 22-20, 16-21, 15-11.
 
Hawai'i wasn't so fortunate on the back end of the double-header against Loyola Marymount. UH fell behind 2-0 against the Lions, but evened the score with straight-set wins by the tandems of Croson and Bell on the No. 2 court and Katie Spieler and Ginger Long on the No. 3 court. It came down to the No. 1 flight and the LMU pair of  Felicia Arriola-Litara Keil proved game, clinching the upset with a 21-18, 21-17 win over Karlee Riggs and Ali Longo.
 
UH, LMU and Grand Canyon will next compete in a pairs tournament on Sunday at Victory Lanes Sports Park with 10 a.m. PT (7:00 a.m. HT) start.
 
#5 Hawai'i 5, Grand Canyon 0
1. Natasha Bell-Jane Croson (UH) def. Mackenzie Phelps-Shannon Dugan (GCU) 22-20, 16-21, 15-11
2. Karlee Riggs-Ali Longo (UH) def. Kristen Johannsen-Sara Bowden (GCU) 21-15, 21-17
3. Katie Spieler-Ginger Long (UH) def. Caelen Hiller-Chloe Jenkins (GCU) 21-18, 21-15
4. Ku`ulei Zalopany-Olivia Urban (UH) def. Jessica Posse-Megan Davis (GCU) 21-9, 21-10
5. Ashley Kastl-Tai Manu-Olevao (UH) def. Brittney Spackman-Courtney Spackman (GCU) 21-14, 21-12
 
 
Dual Match Results
Loyola Marymount 3, #5 Hawai'i 2
1. Felicia Arriola-Litara Keil (LMU) def. Karlee Riggs-Ali Longo (UH) 21-18, 21-17
2. Natasha Bell-Jane Croson (UH) def. Kenna Crouse-Taylor Scioscia (LMU) 21-7, 21-10
3. Katie Spieler-Ginger Long (UH) def. Hannah Tedrow-Amber Mirabello (LMU) 21-13, 21-12
4. Avery Bush-Rachelle Suaava (LMU) def. Ku`ulei Zalopany-Olivia Urban (UH), 10-21, 21-17, 15-10
5. Ashley Maxfeldt-Annie Marie Taylor (LMU) def. Ashley Kastl-Tai Manu-Olevao (UH) 23-21, 22-20
Order finish: 5,4,2,3,1