LONG BEACH, Calif. - Santa Clara Beach returns to Northern California with a 3-2 victory over the University of Southern Mississippi. The team secured wins at the three, four, and five pairs, with standout performances from Alexie Epstein and Alexandra Urbina. Their perfect day two performance closed out the Beach Invitational.

vs. University of Southern Mississippi

The Broncos (2-6) quickly gained a 2-0 lead in the duel. Casey Campbell and Hailey Benesz secured the first win by defeating Madison Cassidy and Valeri Papakyriakou 21-15, 22-20. Shortly after, Epstein and Urbina claimed victory at 21-16, 21-10. The team's win was sealed by Jordan Bennett and Sveva Munneke, who fought back from an initial set loss to win 15-11 in the third set.

vs. No. 13 FIU

Santa Clara closely trailed the No. 13 FIU Panthers and managed to secure a victory in one pair at the fives. Epstein and Urbina faced off against Emma Braticevic and Maria Sanchez, taking it in two sets with scores of 21-18, 23-21. The deciding duel came down to the threes, where Campbell and Benesz battled all the way through but falling just short at 24-26 in the second set. 

RESULTS 

Santa Clara 3, University of Southern Mississippi 2
Long Beach, Calif.
March 10, 2024    

1. Ola Chudzik/Sarah Murczek (USM) def. Katie Kishton/Elena Radeff (SCU) 15-21, 26-24, 15-11
2. Sadie McAda/Laurel Dennis (USM) def. Ella Duffner/Noelle Niederman (SCU) 21-19, 17-21, 15-9
3. Casey Campbell/Hailey Benesz (SCU) def. Madison Cassidy/Valeri Papakyriakou (USM) 21-15, 22-20
4. Jordan Bennett/Sveva Munneke (SCU) def. Dylan Russell/Ashlyn Rough (USM) 11-21, 21-19, 15-11 
5. Alexie Epstein/Alexandra Urbina (SCU) def. Morgan Perry/Jessica Fairly (USM) 21-16, 21-10

Order of finish: (3, 5, 2, 4, 1)

No. 13 FIU 4, Santa Clara 1
Long Beach, Calif.
March 10, 2024    

1. Giada Bianchi/Reka Orsi Toth (FIU) def. Katie Kishton/Elena Radeff (SCU) 21-13, 21-16
2. Lisa Luini/Alice Pratesi (FIU) def. Ella Duffner/Noelle Niederman (SCU) 21-14, 21-19
3. Lucie Pokorna/Zuzanna Bielak (FIU) def. Casey Campbell/Hailey Benesz (SCU) 21-10, 26-24
4. Zoe Cahill/Lauren Huggins (FIU) def. Jordan Bennett/Sveva Munneke (SCU) 15-21, 21-12, 18-16 
5. Alexie Epstein/Alexandra Urbina (SCU) def. Emma Braticevic/Maria Sanchez (FIU) 21-18, 23-21

Order of finish: (1, 2, 3, 5, 4)