LONG BEACH, Calif. — The Santa Clara University beach volleyball team turned in an unbeaten day Friday and earned a big upset victory along the way, topping TruVolley No. 24-ranked UAB, 3-2, in the afternoon after beating CSU Bakersfield, 4-1, on the first day of the Long Beach State Invitational at Long Beach City College.
vs. CSU BAKERSFIELD
- The Broncos (8-2) won each of the top-three spots against the Roadrunners (3-6) en route to their second win over CSUB since 2024. Three of the Broncos' four pairs wins came via 2-0 sweeps.
- Sadie Snipes and Sammy Wood paired to sweep CSU Bakersfield's Erika Markentin and Olivia Silacci-Jensen at the top pairs spot, 21-19, 21-18. Avery Cukjati and Teagan Wilson also swept at the No. 2 spot, 21-15, 21-18, over Sophia Anderson and Olivia Ostler.
- Callie Loughran and Ava Stoddard added another point at No. 5, defeating Kylie Taylor and Katey Milne, 21-19, 21-14. CSU Bakersfield picked up its lone point at No. 4, where Ella Ensign and Vianna Garcia edged Ciara Cantlen and Alexandra Urbina in three sets, 21-15, 17-21, 15-12.
- Mandy Hansen and Noelle Niederman closed the dual at No. 3, rallying in the third set to defeat Vivi Kaelin and Kendall Kaelin, 21-13, 14-21, 15-13.
vs. No. 24 UAB
- Santa Clara's match against UAB (6-5) was extremely close, with eight of the 12 sets played decided by three points or fewer. Cantlen and Urbina gave the Broncos their first point against the Blazers at No. 4, defeating Ava Grace Knott and Olivia Chychrun, 21-19, 21-18. UAB answered at No. 5, where Delaney Rich and Ashley Torsone defeated Loughran and Stoddard, 21-18, 21-19.
- Hansen and Niederman regained the lead for Santa Clara with a 21-19, 21-18 win over Lauren Cairo and Claudia Stockard at No. 3. The deciding point came at No. 2, where Cukjati and Wilson rallied after dropping the first set to defeat Sadie Sharpe and Pien Grooters, 19-21, 21-13, 15-7 and clinch the dual.
- UAB earned the remaining point at No. 1, where Olivia Stant and Jasmine Haas defeated Snipes and Wood 18-21, 21-12, 15-9.
COMING UP
- Santa Clara concludes play at the Long Beach State Invitational Saturday with two matches against nationally ranked opponents, kicking the day off against No. 14 Stetson before facing host and No. 11 Long Beach State in the afternoon. Fans can find live coverage links on SantaClaraBroncos.com.
Santa Clara 4, CSU Bakersfield 1
Long Beach CC – Long Beach, Calif.
March 6, 2026
1.
Sadie Snipes/
Sammy Wood (SCU) def. Erika Markentin and Olivia Silacci-Jensen (CSUB) 2-0: 21-19, 21-18
2.
Avery Cukjati/
Teagan Wilson (SCU) def. Sophia Anderson/Olivia Ostler (CSUB) 2-0: 21-15, 21-18
3.
Mandy Hansen/
Noelle Niederman (SCU) def. Kendall Kaelin/Vivi Kaelin (CSUB) 2-1: 21-13, 14-21, 15-13
4. Ella Ensign/Vianna Garcia (CSUB) def.
Ciara Cantlen/
Alexandra Urbina (SCU) 2-1: 21-15, 17-21, 15-12
5.
Callie Loughran/
Ava Stoddard (SCU) def. Kylie Taylor/Katey Milne (CSUB) 2-0: 21-19, 21-14
Order of finish: 5, 1, 2, 4, 3
Santa Clara 3, No. 24 UAB 2
Long Beach CC – Long Beach, Calif.
March 6, 2026
1. Jasmine Haas/Olivia Stant (UAB) def. Snipes/Wood (SCU) 2-1: 18-21, 21-12, 15-9
2. Cukjati/Wilson (SCU) def. Sadie Sharpe/Pien Grooters (UAB) 2-1: 19-21, 21-13, 15-7
3. Hansen/Niederman (SCU) def. Lauren Cairo/Claudia Stockard (UAB) 2-0: 21-19, 21-18
4. Cantlen/Urbina (SCU) def. Olivia Chychrun/Ava Grace Knott (UAB) 2-0: 21-19, 21-18
5. Delaney Rich/Ashley Torsone (UAB) def. Loughran/Stoddard (SCU) 2-0: 21-18, 21-19
Order of finish: 4, 5, 3, 2, 1
