Long Beach State University
Florida State
No. 11 Beach Volleyball Falls to Pair of Ranked Opponents on Day One of Center of Effort Challenge
4/14/2023 7:08:00 PM | Women's Beach Volleyball
Long Beach State began their final week of the regular season with two tough losses.
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - The No. 11 ranked beach volleyball team began their final weekend of the regular season with a pair of tough losses on day one of the Center of Effort Challenge. In their first match, the Beach fell 4-1 to No. 4 Florida State and then suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to No. 6 LMU.
In the first dual of the day, Florida State picked up two quick points with wins the third and fourth flights. Malia Gementera and Taylor Hagenah responded with a win in two's to get the Beach on the board.
Unfortunately, that would be the only dual point for LBSU as the Seminoles won both the first and fifth flights in three sets to secure their victory.
Hours later, it was another top ten opponent as Long Beach State took on No. 6 Loyola Marymount. The Lions took the early lead winning the first flight, but were quickly answered by a three-set for Gementera/Hagenah in two's. Finishing at nearly the exact same time, the teams exchanged points with Emily Mattoon and Mari Molina winning the fifth flight in three sets.
With the score even at two points apiece, it all came down to the fourth flight in a third set. Christine Deroos and Maggie Walters battled early as the pairs were even at 9-9 just over halfway through. However, the Lions pair would go on a run and win the third set to secure the dual.
With their two wins today, Gementera and Hagenah now own 27 for the season which ties the Long Beach State single-season pairs win record set back in 2017. One more win will put them in sole possession of the record.
Long Beach State will look to bounce back tomorrow with two more duals. They will start with No. 2 USC with the opponent for the second dual to be determined by the end of pool play.
#4 Florida State 4, #11 Long Beach State 1
1. Maddie Anderson/Paige Kalkhoff (FSU) def. Sydney Stevens/Julia Westby (LBSU) 21-14, 18-21, 15-10
2. Malia Gementera/Taylor Hagenah (LBSU) def. Carra Sassack/Audrey Koenig (FSU) 18-21, 21-13, 15-13
3. Anna Long/Jordan Polo (FSU) def. Megan Widener/Natalie Glenn (LBSU) 21-14, 21-18
4. Caitlin Moon/Raelyn White (FSU) def. Mari Molina/Emily Mattoon (LBSU) 21-17, 21-19
5. Alexis Durish/Makenna Wolfe (FSU) def. Maggie Walters/Christine Deroos (LBSU) 18-21, 22-20, 15-7
Order of finish: 3,4,2,5,1
#6 Loyola Marymount 3, #11 Long Beach State 2
1. Paul, Melanie/Prihti, Vilhelmiina (LMU) def. Sydney Stevens/Julia Westby (LBSU) 21-17, 23-21
2. Malia Gementera/Taylor Hagenah (LBSU) def. Thorup, Abbey/Garder, Kristine (LMU) 21-18, 18-21, 15-10
3. Ramirez, Jacinda/Reffel, Isabelle (LMU) def. Megan Widener/Natalie Glenn (LBSU) 18-21, 21-15, 15-8
4. Chinn, Cassie/Hooker, Chloe (LMU) def. Maggie Walters/Christine Deroos (LBSU) 18-21, 21-17, 15-9
5. Mari Molina/Emily Mattoon (LBSU) def. Firnett, Madi/Tucker, Isabelle (LMU) 21-23, 21-12, 15-10
Order of finish: 1,2,3,5,4
