(TUCSON, AZ) In single elimination bracket play, No. 12 Sun Devil Beach Volleyball came up short in a close 3-2 dual to No. 5 seed Boise State on Friday at Bear Down Beach as part of the 2026 Big 12 Beach Volleyball Championship presented by Allstate.
Arizona State (18-15) had the early advantage after the first sets, winning all but on the top court. Boise State (20-15) got on the board first with a sweep on court one, but ASU’s No. 3 pair of senior Arden Besecker and junior Olivia McElroy tied the dual at 1-1 with a straight-set win of their own.
The Sun Devils had the 2-1 dual advantage after another win on court four, courtesy of senior McKenna Flaherty and junior Kristin Gilmour. They won in straight sets as well, improving to 19-11 as a pair. However, the Broncos answered back, forcing a third set on both courts two and five. Boise State took the match on five, setting up an intense finish with the dual tied at 2-2. The Broncos completed the win with a victory on court two.
Individually, Besecker and Flaherty improved to 21-12, the second-best record on the team behind redshirt senior Ava Kirunchyk’s 22-11 mark. Gilmour reached the 20-win mark, now 20-11 on the year.
Up next
The NCAA Beach Volleyball Selection Show is on Sunday at 10 a.m. MST on NCAA.com.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Kimberlie Haner
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