Spartans Split Opening day Beach Volleyball Matches
The san Jose State Spartans kicked off their 2022 beach volleyball season wiht a mixed bag of results at Spartan Beach on Friday. They dominated Ottawa University Arizona with a decisive 5-0 victory, but fell to a strong Concordia University Irvine squad by the same score.The Spartans showcased their dominance against Ottawa, securing four straight-set wins. Only the pairing of Alyssa Sugai and Kacy Hele faced a challenge,ultimately prevailing in a three-set thriller: 21-9,19-21,15-11.
Concordia proved to be a tougher opponent. While the Spartans fought valiantly, they were unable to secure a single match victory.Abby Alvarez and Siena Brewster came closest,pushing their opponents to three sets before falling 21-16,18-21,15-12.
This opening day performance highlights the competitive landscape of collegiate beach volleyball. According to the American Volleyball Coaches Association, over 180 colleges and universities now sponsor beach volleyball programs, making it one of the fastest-growing NCAA sports.
The Spartans will look to bounce back on Saturday with two more dual matches. They’ll face off against the University of Utah at 9:00 am, followed by a matchup against Santa Clara University at 3:00 pm. All matches will be held at Spartan Beach.
Match Summaries:
Concordia University Irvine 5, San Jose State 0
- Hannah Phair/Vanessa Bernzen (CUI) def. Abby Alvarez/Siena Brewster (SJSU) 21-16, 18-21, 15-12
- Sara Ostojic/Hailee Ryan (CUI) def. Jaida Ward/Amethyst Harper (SJSU) 21-16, 21-17
- Shannon Evans/Tatum Smith (CUI) def. Madeline Loof/Chloe Culver (SJSU) 21-16, 21-16
- Isabella Bush/Ellie Cary (CUI) def. Allison Pereira/Cheyenne Rice (SJSU) 22-20, 21-19
- Delaney DeCines/Eva Prewitt (CUI) def. Alyssa Sugai/Kacy Hele (SJSU) 21-10, 21-12
Records: Concordia University Irvine 3-0; San Jose State 0-1
San Jose State 5, Ottawa Arizona 0
- Siena Brewster/Abby Alvarez (SJSU) def. Katia Dizon/katie Pestova (OTT) 21-9, 25-23
- Jaida Ward/Amethyst Harper (SJSU) def. Noel Chavarria/Katie Defer (OTT) 21-15, 21-13
- madeline Loof/Chloe Culver (SJSU) def. mattea Wilson/Katelyn Viray (OTT) 21-14, 21-16
- Cheyenne Rice/Allison Pereira (SJSU) def. Mia Lara/Priscilla Loiola (OTT) 21-12, 21-16
Beach volleyball Showdown: A Weekend of Thrilling Matches
The sand courts witnessed intense competition this past weekend as several top beach volleyball teams battled for supremacy.
san Jose State Edges Out Ottawa Arizona
The Spartans of San Jose state secured a hard-fought victory against Ottawa Arizona, winning 3-2. The decisive match saw Alyssa Sugai and Kacy Hele triumph over Olivia Andersh and Amanda Carlson in a nail-biting three-set showdown.This win marked San Jose State’s first victory of the season, while Ottawa Arizona’s record fell to 4-3.
Santa Clara Dominates with Convincing Wins
Santa Clara emerged as a dominant force, sweeping both Ottawa Arizona and Utah with impressive 5-0 and 3-2 victories, respectively. Their strong performance showcased the depth and talent within their roster. Alexia Inman and Nicole Robison, along with Michelle Shaffer and Jordan Bennett, consistently delivered strong performances, anchoring the Broncos’ success.
Utah Shows Resilience in Tight Matches
Despite facing tough opponents, the Utah Utes demonstrated their fighting spirit, pushing Santa Clara to a five-set thriller. Sommer Daniel and Lauren Sayre,along with Sonja Wessel and Keira Sheehan,secured crucial wins for Utah,highlighting their ability to perform under pressure.
Concordia University Irvine Remains Undefeated
Concordia University Irvine continued their impressive start to the season, extending their undefeated streak to 4-0 with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Utah. The Golden Eagles’ depth was on full display as they secured wins in the top three pairings, showcasing their dominance in the early season.
This weekend’s action provided a glimpse into the competitive landscape of collegiate beach volleyball.With several teams showcasing impressive talent and determination, the upcoming weeks promise even more thrilling matchups.
Spartans Open Season With a Win and a Lesson
Teh San Jose State Spartans beach volleyball team experienced a tale of two matches on their opening day, demonstrating both their potential and the fierce competition that lies ahead in this rapidly growing sport.
A dominant 5-0 victory over Ottawa University Arizona set the tone for a promising season. The Spartans showcased their depth, securing four straight-set wins, demonstrating their ability to control the pace and dictate the match. The lone three-set battle between alyssa Sugai and Kacy Hele,though a hard-fought affair,exemplified the team’s resilience and determination to secure every point.
however, the subsequent match against Concordia University Irvine served as a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. Despite a valiant effort, the Spartans fell 5-0, with Abby Alvarez and Siena Brewster coming closest to a victory in a thrilling three-set match. This loss underscores the high level of play in collegiate beach volleyball, a sport boasting over 180 collegiate programs according to the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
This opening day performance highlights a key narrative for the Spartans this season: building consistency against strong opposition. While their dominance against Ottawa was encouraging, the lessons learned from their defeat against Concordia will be crucial as thay navigate a competitive landscape.
The Spartans will have immediate opportunities to apply these lessons on Saturday, facing both the University of Utah and Santa Clara University. These upcoming matches will be crucial indicators of their ability to bounce back and adapt their game against diverse opponents.
Let’s open the floor for discussion. What were your takeaways from the Spartans’ opening day? Do you think the team can learn from this experience and build momentum moving forward?
