Beach Volleyball Splits Duals, Tops San Francisco on Day One of WCC Invite

Kathryn Decker paired with Liliana Light to win 21-18, 21-18 at No. 3 against San Francisco on Friday.

Posted: Mar 29, 2019

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — Santa Clara beach volleyball claimed its first dual victory of the 2019 season on Friday afternoon at the West Coast Conference Midseason Invitational. The Broncos topped San Francisco 4-1 in the second contest of the day after losing 5-0 to No. 18 Saint Mary's in the opener at Santa Cruz Main Beach.

The Broncos (1-3) won at the 1, 2, 3 and 5 positions against the Dons (7-8) in their second competition of the two-day event, which resumes Saturday. They play the first of at least two matches at 10 a.m. against Pacific.

Michelle Gajdka/Tessie Powers (No. 1) and Alex Anthony/Chloe Loreen (No. 2) won in straight sets against the Dons with one set in each match going past the 21-point mark. Anthony/Loreen are now 2-1 on the year at the No. 2 spot. Kathryn Decker scored the first match win of her Bronco career alongside Liliana Light at No. 4 and Brittany Gillingham/Gretchen Reinert scored their first match wins with SCU at No. 5.

The Gaels (11-5) took all five matches in straight sets in the opener. The Saint Mary's tandem of Sarah Chase/Lindsey Knudsen claimed the top spot with a 21-12, 21-11 win over Anthony/Loreen. Santa Clara's Gillingham/Reinert kept their tilt with Alexsa "Crash" Parker/Sienna Young close, but fell 21-19, 21-15.

NO. 18 SAINT MARY'S 5 SANTA CLARA 0

1. Sarah Chase/Lindsey Knudsen (SMC) def. Alex Anthony/Chloe Loreen (SCU), 21-12, 21-11

2. Emily Bible/Lindsey Calvin (SMC) def. Michelle Gajdka/Tessie Powers (SCU), 21-14, 21-12

3. Alexsa "Crash" Parker/Sienna Young (SMC) def. Liliana Light/Kathryn Decker (SCU), 21-15, 21-11

4. Morgan Kendrick/Jennifer "Boo" Laird (SMC) def. Brittany Gillingham/Gretchen Reinert (SCU), 21-19, 21-15

5. Selbie Christensen/Chandler Powell (SMC) def. Alexa Dreyer/Natalia Rentsch (SCU), 21-17, 21-12

SANTA CLARA 4 SAN FRANCISCO 1

1. Michelle Gajdka/Tessie Powers (SCU) def. Anna Dalla Vecchia/Carly Lowry (USF), 21-19, 22-20

2. Alex Anthony/Chloe Loreen (SCU) def. Madelyn LaFollette/Emily Zinger (USF), 21-15, 25-23

3. Kathryn Decker/Liliana Light (SCU) def. Ella Reames/Moana To'oto'o (USF), 21-18, 21-18

4. Camille Araujo/Victoria Rogers (USF) def. Alexa Dreyer/Natalia Rentsch (SCU), 21-11, 21-16

5. Brittany Gillingham/Grechen Reinert (SCU) def. Tanner Shayne Pemberton/Sophie Sydenham (USF), 21-16, 21-18

SATURDAY MATCHUPS (EACH TEAM PLAYS AT LEAST TWO DUALS)

First Round
9 a.m. – Portland vs. San Francisco
10 a.m. – Santa Clara vs. Pacific

2nd Round
11 a.m. – Winner of Portland/San Francisco vs. Saint Mary's
Noon – Winner of Santa Clara/Pacific vs. Loyola Marymount

Fifth Place Match
1 p.m. – Loser of Portland/San Francisco vs. Loser of Santa Clara/Pacific

Bronze Medal Match
2 p.m. – TBD vs TBD

Gold Medal Match
3 p.m. – TBD vs TBD