Long Beach State University
Pairs Championship
Both Long Beach State Pairs Advance To Championship Bracket
5/3/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Beach Volleyball
May 3, 2014
Gulf Shores, Ala. - Tyler Jackson and Janisa Johnson were automatic qualifiers for the championship bracket, while Delainey Aigner-Swesey and Bojana Todorovic were play-in winners to qualify, but both teams advanced Saturday, making the 49ers the only school outside of the Final Four to have two players represented.
Jackson and Johnson earned a shorter road with a third victory Saturday after two wins on Friday to finish second in Pool B. After coming up just short in three sets against Dallman/Phelps of Grand Canyon 10-21, 21-19, 15-9, the duo rebounded with a strong outing against Shaw/Tinsley of St. Mary's, winning 21-11, 21-19 on the strength of 16 kills from Johnson along with four blocks.
Aigner-Swesey and Todorovic suffered a stunning 21-14, 21-15 loss to Hirini/Thomas of UAB, forcing the pair into the long road into entry into the Final 16. The veterans were up to the challenge, however, downing Araya/Markova of Louisiana-Monrod 21-14, 21-17 after making a combined nine aces, and then won a play-in match with Byl/Coston of Stetson 21-13, 21-10 in impressive fashion to move on.
Jackson and Johnson are seeded fifth in the tournament bracket, and will open up against Spieler/Taylor of Hawai'i at 8 a.m. CT tomorrow. Aigner-Swesey and Todorovic will also start against the Rainbow Wahine, seeded 14th and playing Tiegs/Cook.
Pool A
Kiri Hirini/Bethanie Thomas, UAB def. Delainey Aigner-Swesey/Bojana Todorovic, LBSU 21-14, 21-15
Delainey Aigner-Swesey/Bojana Todorovic, LBSU def. Marcela Araya/Zuzana Markova, ULM 21-14, 21-17
Pool B
Kelli Dallmann/Kenzie Phelps, GCU def. Tyler Jackson/Janisa Johnson, LBSU 10-21, 21-19, 15-9
Tyler Jackson/Janisa Johnson, LBSU def. Jordan Shaw/Samantha Tinsley, SMC, 21-11, 21-19
Play-In Match #1
Delainey Aigner-Swesey/Bojana Todorovic, LBSU def. Savannah Byl/Catherine Coston, 21-13, 21-10
