BERKELEY, Calif. - Santa Clara beach volleyball falls to Saint Mary's in the opening duel of the season. Senior Alexia Gallegos and junior Alexie Epstein won their first match this year, taking down Paola Peralta and Nya Crump in three close sets. After losing the first set, the Bronco pair stormed back to win set 2, 21-18 and close out a closely contested third set to 15 with a score of 22-20. At the fours slot, Jordan Bennett and Hailey Benesz forced a third by winning set 2, 30-28. The No. 8 California Bears took down the Broncos soon after. Marilu Pally and Gia Fisher won the 2s pair, followed by Portia Sherman and Ella Dreibholz winning at the 4s. The duel was clinched at the top of the lineup on court 1.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Game One: SMC 4, Santa Clara 1
(1) Sedona Sherman/Sadie Shipman (SMC) defeated Katie Kishton/Elena Radeff (SCU) 21-17, 21-13
(3)Allie Cataldo/Angie Bour(SMC) defeated Casey Campbell/Sveva Munneke (SCU) 22-20, 21-11
(5) Alexie Epstein/Alexia Gallegos (SCU) defeated Paola Peralta/Nya Crump (SMC) 11-21, 21-18, 22-20
(2) Hawley Harrer/Hannah Couch (SMC) defeated Ella Duffner/Noelle Niederman (SCU) 21-14, 21-18
(4) Karmin Brown/AJ Slojkowski (SMC) defeated Jordan Bennett/Hailey Benesz 21-15, 30-28, 7-15
Game Two: No. 8 Cal 5, Santa Clara 0
(1) Emma Donley and Alexandria Young-Gomez (CAL) def. Katie Kishton and Elena Radeff (SCU) 21-13, 21-11
(2) Marilu Pally and Gia Fisher (CAL) def. Ella Duffner and Noelle Niederman (SCU) 21-8, 21-17
(3) Brooke Buchner and Lara Boos (CAL) def. Casey Campbell and Sveva Munneke (SCU) 21-12, 21-12
(4) Portia Sherman and Ella Dreibholz (CAL) def. Jordan Bennett and Hailey Benesz (SCU) 21-15, 21-17
(5) Amelia Vugrincic and Jenna Colligan (CAL) def. Alexie Epstein and Alexia Gallegos (SCU) 21-12, 21-9
Order of finish: 2 4 1 5 3
NEXT UP: The Broncos head to Santa Cruz for the Big West Coast Classic where they take on Sacramento State, March 2 at 9:00 a.m. and CSU Bakersfield at 11:00 a.m.
