SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The Santa Clara University beach volleyball team earned a third-place finish at the West Coast Conference Championship Tournament for the second straight year Friday, beating East Bay rival Saint Mary's in the morning, 3-2, before falling to second-seeded and No. 19 ranked Pepperdine, 5-0, in the semifinals at Ocean Park Beach.
vs. SAINT MARY'S
The Broncos (18-16) took down third-seeded Saint Mary's (15-19) in the morning to advance to the semifinals. The win avenged a 3-2 defeat at home on Senior Day back on April 19.
Santa Clara nearly won all first sets in each of the five pairs matchups, with only Jordan Bennett and Claire Doud barely falling, 27-25, in their first frame. Those four 1-0 leads at the four other pairs spots helped carry the Broncos to three victories: the 2s, 3s and 5s – all sweeps.
Ella Duffner and Elena Radeff moved to 3-1 in the tournament at the No. 2 spot with a 21-17, 21-14, win over Genevieve Bane and Sadie Shipman. Casey Campbell and Katie Kishton swept Karmin Brown and Hannah Couch, 21-13, 21-17, at No. 3 pairs. Hailey Benesz and Alexie Epstein took down Angie Bour and Hannah Glick, 21-19, 21-15, at the 5s.
vs. PEPPERDINE
The No. 19 Waves (19-14) earned their third win over the Broncos this season with a 5-0 win in the semifinals.
Bennett and Doud pushed their No. 4 pairs match to three sets, coming back to win set two, 21-9, after narrowly dropping the first, 21-19. Pepperdine's Gracey Campbell and Juju Quintero clipped them in the third set, 15-12.
Santa Clara 3, Saint Mary's 2
Ocean Park Beach – Santa Monica, Calif.
April 28, 2023
1. Hawley Harrer/Daniella Kensinger (SMC) def. Nicole Robison/Julia Sangiacomo (SCU) 2-1: 16-21, 21-16, 15-0
2. Ella Duffner/Elena Radeff (SCU) def. Genevieve Bane/Sadie Shipman (SMC) 2-0: 21-17, 21-14
3. Casey Campbell/Katie Kishton (SCU) def. Karmin Brown/Hannah Couch (SMC) 2-0: 21-13, 21-17
4. Allie Cataldo/Paola Peralta (SMC) def. Jordan Bennett/Claire Doud (SCU) 2-0: 27-25, 21-14
5. Hailey Benesz/Alexie Epstein (SCU) def. Angie Bour/Hannah Glick (SMC) 2-0: 21-19, 21-15
No. 19 Pepperdine 5, Santa Clara 0
Ocean Park Beach – Santa Monica, Calif.
April 28, 2023
1. Kate Clermont/McKenna Thomas (PEP) def. Robison/Sangiacomo (SCU) 2-0: 21-16, 21-9
2. Lexi McLeod/Aubrey Roberts (PEP) def. Duffner/Radeff (SCU) 2-0: 21-11, 21-18
3. Gabbie Perez/Savannah Standage (PEP) def. Campbell/Kishton (SCU) 2-0: 21-15, 21-9
4. Gracey Campbell/Juju Quintero (PEP) def. Bennett/Doud (SCU) 2-1: 21-19, 9-21, 15-12
5. Kristine Briede/Maddie Oriskovich (PEP) def. Benesz/Epstein (SCU): 21-13, 21-10
