TEMPE, Ariz. – The 18th ranked Arizona beach volleyball team won the first two matches of the dual at Arizona State on Wednesday, but the Sun Devils claimed the last three matches and the 3-2 win over the Wildcats.
 
Arizona is 12-4 overall on the season while ASU improves to 7-7.
 
The No. 2 and No. 4 pairs were the first to take the court in the dual and UA quickly jumped out to the lead by winning both.
 
Dilara Gedikoglu and Kali Uhl remained undefeated on the year (6-0) with a two set victory at No. 4. Abby Russell and Hope Shannon increased their win streak to five matches with a three set triumph after dropping the first set.
 
Arizona State then won the point at No. 3 and No. 5 pair to even the dual at 2-2.
 
It all came down to the No. 1 pair on the court for both teams – Alex Parkhurst and Sarah Blacker for Arizona against Kylie Wickley and Lexi Sweeney for Arizona State. Arizona took the first set, 21-17, before ASU rallied to take set two, 21-18. In the decisive third set, the score was tied 8-8 before the Sun Devils pulled ahead and took the set, 15-11, and the dual, 3-2.
 
The Wildcats will be back at Bear Down Beach on Friday and Saturday as they host the Arizona Spring Challenge against Missouri State, Colorado Mesa, Santa Clara and UTEP.
 
It will also be Alumni Weekend with a number of former players and support staff scheduled to be in attendance. Promotions for the weekend include a keychain giveaway to those in attendance and on Saturday it will be "Bark at the Beach" where fans can bring their dog to watch the action (with a signed waiver).
 
Arizona State 3, #18 Arizona 2
Tempe, Ariz.
 
Court 1: Lexi Sweeney/Kylie Wickley (ASU) def. Sarah Blacker/Alex Parkhurst (ARIZ), 17-21, 21-18, 15-11
Court 2: Abby Russell/Hope Shannon (ARIZ) def. Anya Pemberton/Ivey Weber (ASU); 22-24, 21-11, 15-7
Court 3: Taryn Ames/Sarah Waters (ASU) def. Grace Cook/Alana Rennie (ARIZ), 21-14, 20-22, 14-10
Court 4: Dilara Gedikoglu/Kali Uhl (ARIZ) def. Kate Fitzgerald/Rylie Kael (ASU), 21-12, 26-24
Court 5: Adriana Nieves Papal/Carys Thomas (ASU) def. Miranda Erro/Annie Kost (ARIZ), 21-19, 21-19
 
Order of finish: 4, 2, 5, 3, 1*