Beach Volleyball Set for Tri-Dual in Home Opener

Wednesday, February 26

Long Beach, Calif.

10 A.M.

Long Beach State University

Vanguard

Photo by: Joseph Kling

2/24/2020 2:07:00 PM | Women's Beach Volleyball

Long Beach State will face Vanguard and Concordia at the LBSU Sand Courts on Wednesday.

By: Emma Kirst, Athletic Communications Coordinator

LONG BEACH, Calif. – On Wednesday, Feb. 26, Long Beach State will officially open the 2020 campaign with home matches against Vanguard at 10 a.m. and Concordia at 2 p.m. at the LBSU Sand Courts.

Despite losing five seniors to graduation from last season, the Beach have a talented squad back on the sand as they are led by several returners including senior Tyler Spriggs and juniors Mari Molina, Nicci Reinking and Claire Newlander. Additionally, LBSU welcomes 11 newcomers to the mix in the form of seven freshmen and four transfers. Freshmen consist of Jillian Rodriguez, Leah Black, Savannah Lyons, and Hanna Farnsworth, along with redshirt freshman transfer Alice Pratesi and two indoor players Jade Waskom and Katie Kennedy. Transfer players look to make an immediate impact at the blocking position with a sophomore transfer from Oregon, Emily Mattoon, along with graduate transfers Madison Smeathers and Makenzie Griffin and an indoor transfer Avery Nelson.

Head Coach, Mike Campbell, on team:
"I am very happy with how our team has progressed through preseason. We have broken the season down into phases and our first six-week phase went very well. We successfully developed every player from the top to the bottom of the lineup. Our chemistry and culture as a team will be put to the test right away in our next six-week phase and I am excited to see how this group competes. We have the capability of being a great team however some pieces of that puzzle are still being put into place."

Vanguard currently holds a 1-3 record earning a victory against University of Saint Katherine (5-0) before giving up a loss to No. 8 LMU (0-5) and a pair of losses to CSU Bakersfield (0-5, 0-5). The Lions are led by Junior Gabby Morrison and Sophomore Conley Harris at the top pair.

Concordia (2-0) opened their season with a pair of wins against Cypress College (5-0) and Masters (4-1). The Eagles are led by Juniors Vanessa Berizen and Ellie Cary who stand as the No. 1 pair.