SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The Santa Clara University beach volleyball team honored two seniors playing in the last home match of their careers Wednesday, and visiting Saint Mary's escaped with a close, 3-2, win at the Malley Beach Volleyball Courts.
Claire Doud and Julia Sangiacomo were both honored in a pre-match ceremony. The two seniors joined the Santa Clara program in 2020. Doud has played at all five pairs spots during her career and entered Wednesday with 18 wins in 2023. Sangiacomo has played at the Broncos' top spot all season long, bringing a 19-7 record into Wednesday's match. Both players have earned West Coast Conference All-Academic honors in each of the past two seasons.
The Broncos (15-12) won the No. 2 and No. 5 pairs via sweeps. Ella Duffner and Elena Radeff beat the Gaels' Genevieve Bane and Sadie Shipman at the No. 2 pairs spot, 21-11, 21-11. Hailey Benesz and Alexie Epstein topped Angie Bour and Hannah Glick at the No. 5 spot, 21-13, 21-14.
Doud and partner Jordan Bennett took their No. 4 pairs match to three sets, narrowly falling to Allie Cataldo and Paola Peralta, who won the first set, 21-16, and the third, 15-11.
Santa Clara next travels up El Camino Real on Saturday for two matches against top-10 ranked teams. The Broncos will face No. 7 Grand Canyon at 9 a.m. and host No. 10 Stanford at 1 p.m. Fans can find all live coverage links on SantaClaraBroncos.com.
Saint Mary's 3, Santa Clara 2
Malley Beach Volleyball Courts -- Santa Clara, Calif.
April 19, 2023
1. Hawley Harrer/Daniella Kensinger (SMC) def. Nicole Robison/Julia Sangiacomo (SCU) 2-0: 21-12, 21-17
2. Ella Duffner/Elena Radeff (SCU) def. Genevieve Bane/Sadie Shipman (SMC) 2-0: 21-11, 21-11
3. Karmin Brown/Hannah Couch (SMC) def. Casey Campbell/Katie Kishton (SCU) 2-0: 22-20, 21-14
4. Allie Cataldo/Paola Peralta (SMC) def. Jordan Bennett/Claire Doud (SCU) 2-1: 21-16, 13-21, 15-11
5. Hailey Benesz/Alexie Epstein (SCU) def. Angie Bour/Hannah Glick (SMC) 2-0: 21-13, 21-14
Exh. Caroline Kedeshian/Hayley Hahn (SCU) def. Cameron Martinez/Grace Travis (SMC) 2-1: 21-14, 20-22, 15-6
Order of finish: 5, 1, 4, 3, 2
