SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - The Bronco beach team secured fourth place in the gold bracket of the West Coast Challenge after competing against No. 9 LMU and Saint Mary's. Jordan Bennett and Hailey Benesz claimed the sole victory in the fourth slot, defeating Karmin Brown and AJ Slojkowski of the Gaels with scores of 21-16 and 22-20.

vs. No. 9 LMU (16-8)

Bennett and Benesz were on the verge of facing yet another nationally ranked team on the final day of the West Coast Challenge. In the four slot, Bennett and Benesz staged a comeback, winning the second set 21-19. However, despite a hard-fought battle in the third set, they fell just short at 14-16 against Madi Firnett and Abbey Thorup of the Lions.

vs. SMC (12-11)

The battle for third place was fiercely contested. Two of the deciding pairs went to three sets: the second and third pairs. Ella Duffner and Casey Campbell, competing in the second pair, won the second set against Sedona Sherman and Sadie Shipman, pushing the third set to 23-25, but ultimately, it ended in favor of the Gaels.

RESULTS

#9 LMU 5, Santa Clara 0

Santa Cruz, Calif. 

March 30, 2024

1. Michelle Shaffer/Vilhelmiina Prihti (LMU) def. Katie Kishton/Elena Radeff (SCU) 21-12, 21-15 

2. Alisha Stevens/Isabelle Reffel (LMU) def. Ellie Skale/Ella Duffner (SCU) 21-13, 22-20

3. Jacinda Ravirez/Anna Pellola (LMU) def. Sveva Munneke/Noelle Niederman (SCU) 21-11, 21-5

4. Madi Firnett/Abbey Thorup (LMU) def. Jordan Bennett/Hailey Benesz (SCU) 21-12, 19-21, 16-14

5. Chloe Hooker/Cassie Chinn (LMU) def. Alexie Epstein/Alexandra Urbina (SCU) 21-10, 21-12 

Saint Mary's 4, Santa Clara 1

Santa Cruz, Calif. 

March 30, 2024

1. Hawley Harrer/Hannah Couch (SMC) def. Katie Kishton/Elena Radeff (SCU) 21-19, 21-13

2. Sedona Sherman/Sadie Shipman (SMC) def. Ella Duffner/Casey Campbell (SCU) 21-19, 16-21, 25-23

3. Allie Cataldo/Angie Bour (SMC) def. Noelle Niederman/Sveva Munneke (SCU) 21-11, 19-21, 15-7

4. Jordan Bennett/Hailey Benesz (SCU) def. Karmin Brown/AJ Slojkowski (SMC) 21-16, 22-20

5. Paola Peralta/Chloe Swanson (SMC) def. Alexie Epstein/Alexandra Urbina (SCU) 21-19, 21-16

UP NEXT: 

• The Broncos host USF this Tuesday at home for a mid-week match-up.