TUCSON, Ariz. — The Santa Clara University beach volleyball team earned a split Friday in its first day of action at the University of Arizona's Wildcat Spring Challenge, sweeping UTEP, 5-0, and falling to the host and No. 18-ranked Wildcats, 4-1, at Bear Down Beach.
vs. UTEP
The Broncos won four pairs against the Miners (3-12) by straight sweeps. Casey Campbell and Elena Radeff outlasted UTEP's Sara Pustahija and Ema Uskokovic at No. 2 pairs in three sets to give Santa Clara the 5-0 shutout.
Nicole Robison and Julia Sangiacomo were dominant at the top pairs spot, nearly blanking Katie Martin and Krista Paegle in the first set, 21-2, then closing them out, 21-11, in the second. Jordan Bennett and Claire Doud were also dominant at No. 4 pairs. The duo beat Deanna Almaguer and Aaliyah Austin by a total of 24 points with set victories of 21-10 and 21-8. Hailey Benesz and Alexie Epstein's sweep of UTEP's Madison Hill and Marian Ovalle at the No. 5 spot clinched the team victory for Santa Clara with the third win of the match.
vs. No. 18 ARIZONA
Robison and Sangiacomo were winners again in the afternoon against No. 18 Arizona. They earned their second sweep of the day by beating the Wildcats' top pair of Sarah Blacker and Alex Parkhurst, 22-20 and 21-19.
The Wildcats (14-4) won all of the other pairs to win the match, 4-1. Ella Duffner and Katie Kishton pushed their No. 3 pairs match to three sets, winning the first set, 21-17, before falling 21-19 and 15-7. Bennett and Doud nearly won their first set at No. 4 pairs, narrowly falling in extra points, 24-22.
Santa Clara 5, UTEP 0
Bear Down Beach – Tucson, Ariz.
March 31, 2023
1. Nicole Robison/Julia Sangiacomo (SCU) def. Katie Martin/Krista Paegle (UTEP) 2-0: 21-2, 21-11
2. Casey Campbell/Elena Radeff (SCU) def. Sara Pustahija/Ema Uskokovic (UTEP) 2-1: 18-21, 21-14, 15-11
3. Ella Duffner/Katie Kishton (SCU) def. Savannah Marenco/Serena Patterson (UTEP) 2-0: 21-16, 21-19
4. Jordan Bennett/Claire Doud (SCU) def. Deanna Almaguer/Aaliyah Austin (UTEP) 2-0: 21-10, 21-8
5. Hailey Benesz/Alexie Epstein (SCU) def. Madison Hill/Marian Ovalle (UTEP) 2-0: 22-20, 21-13
Order of finish: 1, 4, 5, 3, 2
No. 18 Arizona 4, Santa Clara 1
Bear Down Beach – Tucson, Ariz.
March 31, 2023
1. Robison/Sangiacomo (SCU) def. Sarah Blacker/Alex Parkhurst (ARIZ) 2-0: 22-20, 21-19
2. Abby Russell/Hope Shannon (ARIZ) def. Campbell/Radeff (SCU) 2-0: 21-17, 21-16
3. Grace Cook/Alana Rennie (ARIZ) def. Duffner/Kishton (SCU) 2-1: 17-21, 21-19, 15-7
4. Dilara Gedikoglu/Kali Uhl (ARIZ) def. Bennett/Doud (SCU) 2-0: 24-22, 21-13
5. Miranda Erro/Caroline White (ARIZ) def. Benesz/Epstein (SCU) 2-0: 21-18, 21-13
Order of finish: 4, 2, 5, 1, 3
