TUCSON, Ariz. – Missouri State's beach volleyball got the 2020 season started with a solid showing at the Cactus Classic Friday afternoon, topping Boise State 4-1 after losing a 3-2 decision at 15th-ranked Arizona earlier in the day at Bear Down Beach.

"Today was inspirational," said MSU head coach Terri Del Conte. "We played with heart and I couldn't be prouder of our first day of competition. What's even more exciting is that we only showed a glimpse of how much we can shine."

Missouri State's two pairs wins against the No. 15 Wildcats ties for the most in school history in 14 matches against ranked competition and was headlined by Kelsey Larsen and Alaina Tinsley earned a straight-set win at the top of the lineup.

Arizona clinched the contest after winning the first three completed flights, though Kendra Sater and Chloe Tome nearly captured the No. 2 match, dropping each set by two points. The Bears rounded out play with freshmen Siena Brewster and Parker McAllen taking a 15-13 win in the third set of the No. 5 flight.

Brewster and McAllen clinched the BSU match with their second win of the day, while Larsen and Tinsley also went 2-0 on the afternoon with another straight-set victory at the top spot.

In the No. 2 match, MSU's Kendra Sater and Chloe Tome picked up a dominant 21-13, 21-12 win, and Grace Cook and Rachel Tam capped the day with a marathon three-set win in the third flight, winning the final set 19-17.

Missouri State plays two more matches Saturday, facing San Francisco at 11 a.m. Central before a rematch with the Wildcats at 2:45 in the afternoon.

#15 Arizona 3, Missouri State 2:
No. 1 – Kelsey Larsen/Alaina Tinsley (MSU) def. Brooke Burling/Olivia Hallaran (UA) 21-18, 21-17
No. 2 – Natalie Anselmo/Carly Lowry (UA) def. Kendra Sater/Chloe Tome (MSU) 24-22, 21-19
No. 3 – Sarah Blacker/Alex Parkhurst (UA) def. Kylee Davis/Rachel Tam (MSU) 21-15, 21-10
No. 4 – Jonny Baham/Halie Hess (UA) def. Grace Cook/Makayla Tam (MSU) 21-17, 21-17
No. 5 – Siena Brewster/Parker McAllen (MSU) def. Dana Parker/Lauren Orlich (UA) 21-13, 10-21, 15-13
Order of finish: 4,2,3,1,5

Missouri State 4, Boise State 1:
No. 1 – Kelsey Larsen/Alaina Tinsley (MSU) def. Erin Martin/Lauren Ohlinger (BSU) 21-14, 21-17
No. 2 – Kendra Sater/Chloe Tome (MSU) def. Katie Martin/Ellie McDonald (BSU) 21-13, 21-12
No. 3 – Grace Cook/Rachel Tam (MSU) def. Jensen Allen/Danielle Boss (BSU) 21-16, 19-21, 19-17
No. 4 – Joey Benson/Alyssa Wissinger (BSU) def. Kylee Davis/Makayla Tam (MSU) 20-22, 21-14, 15-13
No. 5 – Siena Brewster/Parker McAllen (MSU) def. Kylee Johnson/Olivia Bradley (BSU) 15-21, 21-19, 15-11
Order of finish: 2,4,1,5,3