Beach Volleyball Gets A Win To End The Big West Challenge

Sunday, March 24

Davis, Calif.

9:00 a.m.

Long Beach State University

Cal Poly

3/24/2024 2:38:00 PM | Women's Beach Volleyball

Long Beach State drops their first match of the day but comes back to beat UC Davis.

By: Maxime Garcia, Athletic Communications Assisstant

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — No. 7 Long Beach dropped a tight match against No. 9 Cal Poly but came back to win their last dual of the tournament against UC Davis.

The Beach (18-4) started strong at the second flight, taking their game with ease. Julia Westby and Savannah Standage gained momentum to take their opponents in straight sets, holding the Mustangs to only 13 points in the second set. The fourth flight of Christine Deroos and Megan Widener battled but couldn't fight off their opponents. The first, third and fifth flight all dropped their first set but rallied back in the second. The first flight duo of Taylor Hagenah and Malia Gementera came back strong after a disappointing first set. Their third set was close but they ultimately couldn't come up with the win. The fifth flight of Emily Sparks and Kate Stoughton worked hard to gain momentum but the duo of Naess and Walter pulled away and won the dual for Cal Poly (18-2).

After a tough first loss to Cal Poly, the Beach bounced back to close out the Big West Challenge with a 4-1 win over UC Davis (11-10). The fourth flight unfortunately lost a huge battle against the Aggies but all the other pairs would rally to win in straight sets. Savannah Standage and Julia Westby closed out a perfect 6-0 weekend by besting their opponents to earn Long Beach the first dual point. The pair of Haley Carrington and Livi Narancich also had a battle with their opponents but came out on top. The dual was won by the third flight of Mo Gibson and Natalie Glenn, who started out their first set 0-8. They made a huge comeback to take the set 22-20. Their second set was a breeze as they held their opponents to only six points and won the dual for the Beach. The last duo done was the first flight pair of Malia Gementera and Taylor Hagenah, who won two back and forth sets against the Aggies to finish the day.

The Beach will play host to Cal Poly and St. Katherine in Laguna Beach on April 6th.

#9 Cal Poly 4, #7 Long Beach State 1

1. Izzy Martinez/Ella Connor (CP) def. Malia Gementera/Taylor Hagenah (LBSU) 21-12, 17-21, 15-11

2. Savannah Standage/Julia Westby (LBSU) def. Erin Inskeep/Piper Ferch (CP) 21-16, 21-13

3. Lindsey Sparks/Quinn Perry (CP) def. Natalie Glenn/Mo Gibson (LBSU) 21-15, 15-21, 15-5

4. Madison Nichols/Abbey Reinard (CP) def. Megan Widener/Christine Deroos (LBSU) 21-17, 21-16

5. Piper Naess/Logan Walter (CP) def. Kate Stoughton/Emily Sparks (LBSU) 21-16, 16-21, 15-8

Exh. (CP) def. Sammy Okano / Jaylen Jordan 21-18, 21-19

Order of finish: 2, 4, 1, 5*, 3

#7 Long Beach State 4, UC Davis 1

1. Malia Gementera/Taylor Hagenah (LBSU) def. Coleen McGuire/Kylie Miller (UCD) 21-17, 21-15

2. Savannah Standage/Julia Westby (LBSU) def. Tabitha Mitchell/Kimi Waller (UCD) 21-17, 26-24