TUCSON, Ariz. — The Santa Clara University beach volleyball team grabbed two victories on the final day of the University of Arizona's Wildcat Spring Challenge, beating Colorado Mesa, 3-2, and Missouri State, 4-1, at Bear Down Beach.
vs. COLORADO MESA
Wins at the top and bottom pairs earned Santa Clara (10-8) its first victory of the day. Nicole Robison and Julia Sangiacomo moved to 3-0 on the weekend with their third sweep in as many matches. They beat the Mavericks' top pair of Macie Lachemann and Holly Schmidt, 21-5 and 21-17.
Colorado Mesa (12-7) earned wins at No. 2 and No. 3 pairs, but Santa Clara took the No. 4 and No. 5 pairs to get the team victory. Jordan Bennett and Claire Doud's three-set victory at the No. 4 spot was the clincher. They came from behind after losing the first set, 21-14, beating CMU's Sabrina VanDeList and Tye Wedhorn 21-13 in the second and 15-11 in the third.
Hailey Benesz and Alexie Epstein was the Broncos' third win of the match, taking No. 5 pairs in a 21-19, 21-10 sweep.
vs. MISSOURI STATE
The Broncos swept three more pairs against Missouri State en route to their second win of the day. Sangiacomo paired with Alexia Gallegos at the No. 1 spot to earn her fourth win of the weekend. The duo topped Missouri State's No. 1 pair of Becca Bach and Olivia Muriel in straight sets, 21-19 and 21-18.
Bennett and Doud again clinched the team victory for Santa Clara with a sweep at No. 4 pairs. The tandem won its third match of the weekend with a 21-14, 21-18, sweep at No. 4 pairs. Missouri State's (8-11) lone win of the match came at No. 2 pairs, where Tylar Garrett and Grayson Hall beat Casey Campbell and Elena Radeff, 21-15, 21-16.
COMING UP
Santa Clara next travels to the Sacramento area on Friday and Saturday for four matches, two at Sacramento State on Friday and two at UC Davis on Saturday.
Santa Clara 3, Colorado Mesa 2
Bear Down Beach – Tucson, Ariz.
April 1, 2023
1. Nicole Robison/Julia Sangiacomo (SCU) def. Macie Lachemann/Holly Schmidt (CMU) 2-0: 21-5, 21-17
2. Hahni Johnson/Savannah Spitzer (CMU) def. Casey Campbell/Elena Radeff (SCU) 2-0: 21-13, 21-18
3. Jada Hall/Gracyn Spresser (CMU) def. Ella Duffner/Katie Kishton (SCU) 2-1: 21-15, 15-21, 15-11
4. Jordan Bennett/Claire Doud (SCU) def. Sabrina VanDeList/Tye Wedhorn (CMU) 2-1: 14-21, 21-13, 15-11
5. Hailey Benesz/Alexie Epstein (SCU) def. Savannah Ott/Hailey Peters (CMU) 2-0: 21-19, 21-10
Order of finish: 1, 5, 2, 3, 4
Santa Clara 4, Missouri State 1
Bear Down Beach – Tucson, Ariz.
April 1, 2023
1. Alexia Gallegos/Sangiacomo (SCU) def. Becca Bach/Olivia Muriel (MSU) 2-0: 21-19, 21-18
2. Tylar Garrett/Grayson Hall (MSU) def. Campbell/Radeff (SCU) 2-0: 21-15, 21-16
3. Duffner/Kishton (SCU) def. Brooke Plessner/Olivia Rattler (MSU) 2-0: 21-13, 21-16
4. Bennett/Doud (SCU) def. Manuela Niemeyer/MacKenzie Steele (MSU) 2-0: 21-14, 21-18
5. Benesz/Epstein (SCU) def. Riley Drew/Claudia Wala (MSU) 2-1: 21-18, 16-21, 15-9
Order of finish: 3, 2, 1, 4, 5
