No. 14 Beach Volleyball Splits Day One of Best in the West

Saturday, March 4

Laguna Beach, Calif.

12:30 p.m.

Long Beach State University

Cal Poly

Photo by: Dimitris Papakosmas

3/4/2023 9:02:00 PM | Women's Beach Volleyball

The Beach fought their way to a win at the Inaugural Best in the West Tournament.

By: Maxime Garcia, Athletic Communications Intern

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif.- Long Beach State split their two duals on day one of the Best in the West Tournament with a win against Cal Poly and a close loss to Hawai'i. The victory against Cal Poly is their first of the young season.

In the first two flights against the Mustangs, the Beach split the points. Emily Mattoon and Megan Widener had a great match coming off their big win against USC last weekend, taking the flight 21-19 and 21-14. Unfortunately, the pair of freshman Julia Westby and veteran Sydney Stevens fell in a third set loss of 17-15. The freshman pair of Malia Gementera and Taylor Hagenah once again made their mark, defeating their opponents 21-15 and 21-18.

The dual came down to Maggie Walters and Natalie Glenn in flight number five. The score was back and forth between the teams before Glenn was able to put away a clean kill to take the third set and win the dual for the Beach.

Looking to keep the momentum going against Hawai'i, the Beach took both of the first two flights in straight sets. Emily Mattoon and Megan Widener capped off a perfect day in straight sets, 21-16 and 21-18. Julia Westby and Sydney Stevens came out swinging and took down their opponents in straight sets, 21-18 and 21-18.

The first flight of Christine DeRoos and Mari Molina fought hard but could not hold off Hawai'i
as they lost 21-12 and 21-15. Despite the loss, both the third and fifth flights had the advantage going into the third sets of both. Unfortunately, neither duo could pick up the deciding point.

The Beach is back in action tomorrow for the second day of the Best in the West Tournament. They will play Cal Poly at 10 a.m. and No. 9 Hawaii at 3 p.m.

Long Beach State 3, Cal Poly 2
1. Piper Ferch/Izzy Martinez (CP) def. Christine Deroos/Mari Molina (LBSU) 21-17, 21-14
2. Jayelin Lombard/Piper Naess (CP) def. Sydney Stevens/Julia Westby (LBSU) 14-21, 23-21, 17-15
3. Malia Gementera/Taylor Hagenah (LBSU) def. Delaney Peranich/Emma Zuffelato (CP) 21-15, 21-18
4. Emily Mattoon/Megan Widener (LBSU) def. Susie Lloyd/Margo Smith (CP) 21-19, 21-14
5. Natalie Glenn/Maggie Walters (LBSU) def. Brooke Golik/Kalee Graff (CP) 19-21, 21-16, 15-13
Order of Finish: 4,2,1,3,5

Hawai'i 3, Long Beach State 2
1. Kaylee Glagau/Brooke Van Sickle (UH) def. Christine Deroos/Mari Molina (LBSU) 21-12, 21-15
2. Sydney Stevens/Julia Westby (LBSU) def. Anna Maidment/Jaime Santer (UH) 21-18, 21-18
3. Kylin Loker/Riley Wagoner (UH) def. Malia Gementera/Taylor Hagenah (LBSU) 13-21, 21-16, 16-14
4. Emily Mattoon/Megan Widener (LBSU) def. Ilihia Huddleston/Sophie Buschmann (UH) 21-16, 21-18
5. Chandler Cowell/Sydney Miller (UH) def. Natalie Glenn/Maggie Walters (LBSU) 21-16, 13-21, 15-12
Order of Finish: 4,2,1,5,3