Long Beach State University
California
Long Beach State Drops Tough Match In Opening Round Of NCAA Championship
5/3/2024 2:54:00 PM | Women's Beach Volleyball
Long Beach State lost 3-1 to Cal in their first match from Gulf Shores.
GULF SHORES, Ala. — Long Beach State's All-American pair of Malia Gementera and Taylor Hagenah grabbed an impressive top flight win and the Beach had a pair of three-setters to defeat seven-seeded Cal, but the Beach came up just short in the first round of the NCAA Championship.
All courts saw back and forth action to start the first set. The first and third flight pairs took the opening set of their match. The fifth flight pair of Emily Sparks and Haley Carrington had trouble against their opponents as they were the first court to finish, earning Cal the first dual point. The second flight pair of Mo Gibson and Savannah Standage had a close first set but couldn't find the win as their opponents played a strong second set.
Down two sets to none, the first flight pair of Malia Gementera and Taylor Hagenah shined once again on the big stage as they grabbed The Beach's only dual point. The duo played two back and forth sets but were in control of them both. They crept away in the second set to get The Beach their lone point. With this win, the sophomores now have the most wins as a pair in Long Beach State history.
The third flight pair played a solid first set but dropped a close second set. They were unable to finish as the fourth flight pair was defeated in a close third set. Megan Widener and Christine Deroos dropped their first set but came back to play an exciting second set. They had momentum going into the third set and were up 3-1. The Golden Bears didn't let up as they were tied 5-5. Sherman and Colligan were able to pull away at 11-8. The Beach held them off but a swing just wide ended the match for the fourth flight.
The loss ends a record-breaking season for many players and the second-most wins in program history with a 28-10 final record.
#7 Cal 3, #10 Long Beach State 1
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Malia Gementera / Taylor Hagenah (LBSU) def. Sierra Caffo / Alexandra Young-Gomez (CAL) 24-22, 21-16
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Emma Donley / Kendall Peters (CAL) def. Mo Gibson / Savannah Standage (LBSU) 21-17, 21-9
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Gia Fisher / Marilu Pally (CAL) vs. Julia Westby / Natalie Glenn (LBSU) 19-21, 21-18, 9-6
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Portia Sherman / Jenna Colligan (CAL) def. Megan Widener / Christine Deroos 21-18, 13-21, 15-10
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Ella Dreibholz / Lara Boos (CAL) def. Haley Carrington / Emily Sparks (LBSU) 21-11, 21-6
Order of finish: 5, 2, 1, 4*
