PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Missouri State Beach Volleyball team defeated Abilene Christian (5-0) and fell to No. 7 Grand Canyon (5-0) on Saturday afternoon at the Grand Canyon University Beach Volleyball Stadium.

"Our goal for this trip was to improve together as a program," head coach Gretchen Hand said. "We have faced our strongest competition so far this year against GCU. The Beach Bears made some outstanding plays and look forward to seeing the top teams in the nation this season."

In the No. 2 position, Grace Cook and Chloe Tome won their 14^th consecutive match by sweeping Sarah Nading and Logan Browning of Abilene Christian (21-6, 21-7). The Grand Canyon duo of Allison Hansen and Allanis Navas snapped Cook and Tome's win streak in the nightcap as they defeated the MSU pair, 21-14 and 21-15. Cook and Tome are now 11-1 on the season and 22-4 in their career.

Tylar Garrett and Chloe Filipski defeated the Wildcats' Madison and Brea Lawler (21-14, 21-16) before falling to GCU's Jess Vastine and Anaya Evans (21-14, 21-16) in the No. 1 flight.

In the Abilene Christian dual, the No. 4 pair of Brooke Plessner and Kaeli Kristensen had a resilient comeback effort to earn a three-set win over Britney Roberts and Emily Van Dyke (19-21, 21-11, 15-7). Plessner and Kristensen then fell to the Antelopes' Abbie Hughes and Dana Roskic by the scores of 21-6 and 21-8.

The No. 5 pair of Parker McAllen and Olivia Rattler earned their eighth win of the season by dispatching Claire Dunn and Jada Birkel of Abilene Christian 21-10 and 21-10. In the Grand Canyon dual, the duo fell to Madi Relaz and Cami Sanchez (21-8, 21-8).

Becca Bach and Grayson Hall topped the Abilene Christian duo of Braden Bossier and Bryley Steinhilber (21-13, 21-16) before falling to the Antelopes' Teagan DeFalco and Samaya Morin (21-8, 21-16).

Up Next
The Bears (7-5) return to Springfield on March 18, when they will square off against Missouri Baptist and Garden City Community College.

Results 

Missouri State 5, Abilene Christian 0
1: Tylar Garrett/Chloe Filipski (MSU) def. Madison Lawler/Brea Lawler (ACU) 21-14, 21-16
2: Grace Cook/Chloe Tome (MSU) def. Sarah Nading/Logan Browning (ACU) 21-6, 21-7
3: Grayson Hall/Becca Bach (MSU) def. Braden Bossier/Bryley Steinhilber (ACU) 21-13, 21-16
4: Brooke Plessner/Kaeli Kristensen (MSU) def. Britney Roberts/Emily Van Dyke (ACU) 19-21, 21-11,15-7
5: Parker McAllen/Olivia Rattler (MSU) def. Claire Dunn/Jada Birkel (ACU) 21-10, 21-10
 
Exh: Abby Fowler/Addison Criper (MSU) def. Londyn Gray/Rachel Crismore (ACU) 21-15, 21-9

Grandy Canyon 5, Missouri State 0
1: Jess Vastine/Anaya Evans (GCU) def. Tylar Garrett/Chloe Filipski (MSU) 21-14, 21-16
2: Allison Hansen/Allanis Navas (GCU) def. Grace Cook/Chloe Tome (MSU) 21-15, 21-14
3: Teagan DeFalco/Samaya Morin (GCU) def. Grayson Hall/Becca Bach (MSU) 21-8, 21-16
4: Abbie Hughes/Dana Roskic (GCU) def. Brooke Plessner/Kaeli Kristensen (MSU) 21-6, 21-8
5: Madi Relaz/Cami Sanchez (GCU) def. Parker McAllen/Olivia Rattler (MSU) 21-8, 21-8
 
Exh: Meagan McCall/Krista Rowan (GCU) def. Abby Fowler/Addison Crider (MSU) 21-9, 21-15