GLENDALE, Ariz. — October 3, 2026 — Arizona Christian University Men's Beach Volleyball opened a new chapter this weekend, hosting its first home matches on the new ACU Sand Courts and earning four victories across Friday's matches and Saturday's scrimmages.
The Firestorm opened the weekend Friday with a 3-2 victory over Park University before falling to nationally competitive Hope International University, 5-0. Arizona Christian then returned to the sand Saturday, earning 2-1 scrimmage victories over both Grand Canyon University Club and Northern Arizona University Club.The weekend provided an important opportunity for the Firestorm to compete at home while continuing to build momentum in its inaugural season.
Firestorm Earns 3-2 Victory Over Park
Arizona Christian opened Friday's competition with a strong team performance against Park, winning three of five pairs to secure the 3-2 victory. The Firestorm came out strong at No. 1, where Felipe Torres and Aydan Pimental defeated Noah Hernandez and Andrew Kennedy, 21-6, 21-9. The ACU pair allowed just 15 total points across the two sets. Park responded at No. 2, where Dominic Smith and Keanae Alo defeated Brayden Case and Asher Ganem, 21-12, 21-19.
The No. 3 match proved to be one of the key moments of the team competition. Kellen McHale and Benett Brubaker battled Jeff Agcaoili and Zac York through three sets. After taking the opening set 21-10, ACU dropped the second set 21-14 before responding in the deciding set, 15-11.
Park answered at No. 4, as Andrew Krauss and Anton Dracich defeated Tobias Eriksson and Asher Taton, 21-13, 21-13, setting up a decisive No. 5 match. With the team score tied at 2-2, Jonathan Barken and Ridge McGovern delivered for the Firestorm at No. 5. Barken and McGovern defeated Riley Terwilliger and Matt Kendler in straight sets, 21-15, 23-21, securing the final point and giving Arizona Christian the 3-2 team victory.
Hope International Takes Second Match
Arizona Christian then faced Hope International University, which entered the match undefeated at 8-0. Hope International earned a 5-0 victory over the Firestorm. Torres and Pimental represented ACU at No. 1 against Jett Rocker-Graham and Cam Taylor. The Firestorm pair competed hard but fell 21-17, 21-9. At No. 2, Kellen McHale and Brayden Case faced Alessandro Spendolini and Tobias Penasse.
The No. 3 pairing of Asher Ganem and Benett Brubaker battled Josiah Troutman and Jackson Merzera in a competitive straight-set match before falling 21-17, 21-18. At No. 4, Tobias Eriksson and Asher Taton faced Trevor Southards and Atticus Graham, falling 21-14, 21-18. The Firestorm's No. 5 pair of Jonathan Barken and Ridge McGovern also competed against Ethan Davis and Keoke Desha. Despite the 5-0 result, the match provided valuable experience for an emerging Arizona Christian program competing against a strong Hope International team.
Firestorm Win Two More on Saturday
Arizona Christian continued its weekend at home Saturday, hosting Grand Canyon University Club and Northern Arizona University Club on the new ACU Sand Courts. The Firestorm earned a 2-1 victory over Grand Canyon before defeating Northern Arizona by the same 2-1 score. The Saturday competitions provided additional opportunities for the Firestorm to gain experience while also helping create opportunities for emerging and club beach volleyball programs in the region. The weekend marked an important step for Arizona Christian as the program continues to establish itself and build a competitive beach volleyball environment at ACU.
Building Momentum at ACU
Friday's competition moved Arizona Christian to 3-3 on the season, while the two Saturday scrimmage victories added to the Firestorm's momentum during its inaugural campaign. The weekend also marked the beginning of a new era for ACU beach volleyball with the program hosting its first home matches on the new sand courts. With strong competition, four wins across the weekend and a new home venue, the Firestorm continues to build its program while helping grow men's beach volleyball in the region.
ACU FIRESTORM ATHLETICS
