MESA, Ariz. - The Simpson beach volleyball squad opened its 2026 season against Park-Gilbert University at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, AZ,. 

The Red Hawks first pair, Brooklyn Jimenez and Kimora McKechnie, dropped their first set to Park's Elise Langley and Lizzy Moyer 21-15. 

But Jimenez and McKechnie bounced back as they took the second set 21-12 to even the score, as they completed the reverse sweep to earn the 15-12 third set victory to give Simpson the early team lead. 

Park answered back as their second pair, Porsche Bauer and Adriana DeMario, took down Simpson's Tiara Manns and Emilly Melo in straight sets, 21-13 and 21-17, to even the team score. 

The Bucs took the team lead in the third match as their third pair Kyla Knight and Hayven Lick edged Simpson's Elizabeth Heath and Mackenzie Tataryn 21-14 in both sets. 

The Red Hawks did not go quietly as their fourth pair, Kare Ann Oshiro and Sylus Moore, evened the team score with a 21-17 and 21-16 victory over Park's Athena Hice and Marissa Moorehouse to force a decisive fifth set. 

The Bucs prevailed and secured the 21-8 and 21-18 fifth match victory as Aliyah Unseth and Keep Williams defeated Simpson's Kersti Howell and Alexia Andaya. 

The Red Hawks are back in action tomorrow as they take on Benedictine at noon (MST). 

Results:

1. Brooklyn Jimenez/Kimora McKechnie(SU) def. Elise Langley/Lizzy Moyer (Park) 15-21, 21-12, 15-12 

2. Porsche Bauer/Adriana DeMario (Park) def. Tiara Manns/Emilly Melo (SU) 21-13, 21-17 

3. Kyla Knight/Hayven Lick (Park) def. Elizabeth Heath/Mackenzie Tataryn (SU) 21-14, 21-14 

4. Kare Ann Oshiro/Sylus Moore (SU) def. Athena Hice/Marissa Moorehouse (Park) 21-17, 21-16 

5. Aliyah Unseth/Keep Williams (Park) def. Kiersti Howell/Alexia Andaya (SU) 21-12, 21-18 

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