SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara beach team secured a 4-1 victory against Portland on the first day of the West Coast Challenge. Despite facing challenging weather conditions, the Broncos (5-13) battled against the wind and notched one win in the column. 
 

vs. Portland (6-8)

The top two pairs and the bottom two pairs for the Broncos were successful in the first match of the West Coast Challenge. The highlight was the fourth slot, as Jordan Bennett and Sveva Munneke took care of business in two sets, 21-18, 21-14. Katie Kishton and Elena Radeff were also responsible for their win, taking it 21-14, 21-16.

Bennett and Hailey Benesz formed the newest pair at the fours and came closest to catching the Waves. The Broncos comfortably took the first set at 21-16. However, the Waves managed to win the second set, setting up a decisive third set. The third set was a back-and-forth affair, extending to extra points, but the Broncos fell short, losing 18-20.

RESULTS

Santa Clara 4, Portland 1 

Santa Cruz, Calif. 

March 29, 2024

1. Katie Kishton/Elena Radeff (SCU) def. Leonie Freytag/Elin Larsson (PORT) 21-14, 21-16

2. Ella Duffner/Casey Campbell (SCU) def. Annika Stammberger/Sophie Lee (PORT) 21-16, 20-22, 15-6

3. Valerie Bruk/Taylor Helle (PORT) def. Noelle Niederman/Hailey Benesz (SCU) 

4. Jordan Bennett/Sveva Munneke (SCU) def. Elena Bullemer/Kili Robins (PORT) 21-18, 21-13

5. Alexie Epstein/Alexandra Urbina (SCU) def. Lucia Busso/Maui Robins 21-19, 19-21, 15-4

Pepperdine 5, Santa Clara 0

Santa Cruz, Calif. 

March 29, 2024

1. Kate Clermont/McKenna Thomas (PEPP) def. Elena Radeff/Katie Kishton (SCU) 21-15, 21-10

2. Madison Oriskovich/Kristine Briede (PEPP) def. Casey Campbell/Ella Duffner (SCU) 21-9, 21-11

3. Gabriella Perez/Sarlota Svobodova (PEPP) def. Sveva Munneke/Noelle Niederman (SCU) 21-15, 21-8

4. Gracie Pedersen/Kaydon Meyers (PEPP) def. Hailey Benesz/Jordan Bennett (SCU) 16-21, 21-19, 20-18

5. Emi Erickson/Maya McNabney (PEPP) def. Alexandra Urbina/Alexie Epstein (SCU) 21-15, 21-18

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

UP NEXT: 

• The Broncos face No. 9 LMU at 9:00 a.m. in the first round of the gold bracket.