
Gementera, Hagenah Break Program Record in Regular Season Finale
4/15/2023 4:01:00 PM | Women's Beach Volleyball
Long Beach State won their season finale, 3-2, over the host Mustangs at the Center of Effort Challenge.
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Long Beach State ended their regular season with a split on day two of the Center of Effort Challenge. After a close 3-2 loss to No. 2 USC, the No. 11 ranked Beach topped hosts Cal Poly, 3-2, in the seventh place match.
Long Beach State jumped out to a quick lead against the Trojans as Emily Mattoon and Mari Molina won the fifth flight in dominant fashion with 21-15, 21-6 set victories. USC responded, however, with three straight wins to secure the dual.
A historic victory in flight number two made it a 3-2 score. The pair of Malia Gementera and Taylor Hagenah bounced back from a first set loss to force a third set and ultimately win it. The victory gives them 28 for the season, setting a new Long Beach State single-season pairs record.
Once pool play was done, the Beach found themselves in the seventh-place match against the host Mustangs. Wins in flight five and flight two put LBSU out front 2-0 right out of the gates, but Cal Poly evened the score with wins in the fourth and third flights.
It came down to a third set in one's as Sydney Stevens and Julia Westby won their first set 21-19, but fell in the second set 16-21. After gaining an early lead, the Beach duo never relinquished it on their way to a 15-12 win to secure the win for the Beach.
Long Beach State ends their season with a 20-14 overall record and sets their sights on the Big West Championships in Hawai'i next weekend.
#2 USC 3, #11 Long Beach State 2
1. Megan Kraft/Laynie Maple (USC) def. Sydney Stevens/Julia Westby (LBSU) 21-14, 21-10
2. Malia Gementera/Taylor Hagenah (LBSU) def. Nicole Nourse/Audrey Nourse (USC) 23-25, 22-20, 15-11
3. Madison Shields/Madison White (USC) def. Christine Deroos/Megan Widener (LBSU) 21-9, 21-19
4. Olivia Bakos/Gabby Walker (USC) def. Maggie Walters/Natalie Glenn (LBSU) 21-19, 21-17
5. Mari Molina/Emily Mattoon (LBSU) def. Klaire VanDeusen/Harper Hallgren (USC) 21-15, 21-6
Order of finish: 5,1,3,4,2
#11 Long Beach State 3, Cal Poly 2
1. Sydney Stevens/Julia Westby (LBSU) def. Jayelin Lombard/Piper Naess (CP) 21-19, 16-21, 15-12
2. Malia Gementera/Taylor Hagenah (LBSU) def. Piper Ferch/Izzy Martinez (CP) 25-23, 21-16
3. Delaney Peranich/Brooke Golik (CP) def. Megan Widener/Natalie Glenn (LBSU) 21-19, 19-21, 15-12
4. Kalee Graff/Emma Zuffelato (CP) def. Maggie Walters/Christine Deroos (LBSU) 21-16, 21-19
5. Haley Carrington/Emily Mattoon (LBSU) def. Marina Warren/Erika Foreman (CP) 21-9, 21-15
Order of finish: 5,2,4,3,1
Long Beach State jumped out to a quick lead against the Trojans as Emily Mattoon and Mari Molina won the fifth flight in dominant fashion with 21-15, 21-6 set victories. USC responded, however, with three straight wins to secure the dual.
A historic victory in flight number two made it a 3-2 score. The pair of Malia Gementera and Taylor Hagenah bounced back from a first set loss to force a third set and ultimately win it. The victory gives them 28 for the season, setting a new Long Beach State single-season pairs record.
HISTORY MADE ??
— LB Beach Volleyball (@LBSUBeachVB) April 15, 2023
With their win in flight 2 over USC this morning, Malia and Taylor have set a new single-season pairs win record! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/rWB9QQrxeO
Once pool play was done, the Beach found themselves in the seventh-place match against the host Mustangs. Wins in flight five and flight two put LBSU out front 2-0 right out of the gates, but Cal Poly evened the score with wins in the fourth and third flights.
It came down to a third set in one's as Sydney Stevens and Julia Westby won their first set 21-19, but fell in the second set 16-21. After gaining an early lead, the Beach duo never relinquished it on their way to a 15-12 win to secure the win for the Beach.
Long Beach State ends their season with a 20-14 overall record and sets their sights on the Big West Championships in Hawai'i next weekend.
#2 USC 3, #11 Long Beach State 2
1. Megan Kraft/Laynie Maple (USC) def. Sydney Stevens/Julia Westby (LBSU) 21-14, 21-10
2. Malia Gementera/Taylor Hagenah (LBSU) def. Nicole Nourse/Audrey Nourse (USC) 23-25, 22-20, 15-11
3. Madison Shields/Madison White (USC) def. Christine Deroos/Megan Widener (LBSU) 21-9, 21-19
4. Olivia Bakos/Gabby Walker (USC) def. Maggie Walters/Natalie Glenn (LBSU) 21-19, 21-17
5. Mari Molina/Emily Mattoon (LBSU) def. Klaire VanDeusen/Harper Hallgren (USC) 21-15, 21-6
Order of finish: 5,1,3,4,2
#11 Long Beach State 3, Cal Poly 2
1. Sydney Stevens/Julia Westby (LBSU) def. Jayelin Lombard/Piper Naess (CP) 21-19, 16-21, 15-12
2. Malia Gementera/Taylor Hagenah (LBSU) def. Piper Ferch/Izzy Martinez (CP) 25-23, 21-16
3. Delaney Peranich/Brooke Golik (CP) def. Megan Widener/Natalie Glenn (LBSU) 21-19, 19-21, 15-12
4. Kalee Graff/Emma Zuffelato (CP) def. Maggie Walters/Christine Deroos (LBSU) 21-16, 21-19
5. Haley Carrington/Emily Mattoon (LBSU) def. Marina Warren/Erika Foreman (CP) 21-9, 21-15
Order of finish: 5,2,4,3,1
Players Mentioned
Women's Volleyball Post Game Press Conference vs Hawai'i (LBSU wins 3-0)
Saturday, October 18
Women's Volleyball Post Game Press Conference vs UCSD (LBSU Wins 3-1)
Friday, October 17
Women's Volleyball Post Game Press Conference vs Cal Poly
Sunday, October 05
Women's Volleyball Post Game Press Conference vs UC Santa Barbara
Saturday, October 04