Women’s Beach Volleyball | February 24, 2024
HONOLULU – The No. 1-ranked USC beach volleyball team (4-2) fell to crosstown rival No. 2 UCLA (4-3) with a 4-1 result in the gold medal dual in the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Beach Classic on Queen’s Beach on Saturday, Feb. 24.
The Women of Troy fell to 24-18 all-time in meetings with the Bruins and dropped to 27-4 all-time in duals played on the Hawaiian Islands. The Trojans also went to 138-16 when they are ranked No. 1 in the AVCA poll.
The Trojans collected their first dual point on a win from the No. 3 position where graduates Maddi Kriz and Grace Seits completed a 21-17, 21-15 win over Tessa Van Winkle and Jaden Whitmarsh. Moments later, the Bruins evened the dual with a 21-15, 21-17 win at the top court where Maggie Boyd and Lexy Denaburg defeated seniors Megan Kraft and Delaynie Maple to hand the Trojan duo its first loss this season.
UCLA went in front, 2-1, on a win from its fourth pair of Kenzie Brower and Jessie Smith. The Bruins defeated USC sophomores Gabby Walker and Madison Whitein three sets, 15-21, 21-11, 15-10. UCLA clinched the dual with a win from the No. 5 position when Natalie Myszkowski and Ensley Alden defeated USC’s pair of senior Olivia Bakos and graduate Ainsley Radell, 21-19, 24-22.
With the dual decided, the No. 2 pairs finished scoring with UCLA’s tandem of Peri Brennan and Devon Newberry defeating graduate twins Audrey Nourse and Nicole Nourse in three sets, 18-21, 22-20, 15-12.
The Trojans return to the mainland to co-host the Battle for Los Angeles next weekend. Long Beach State and Concordia visit Merle Norman Stadium for USC’s first home duals of 2024 on Friday (March 1). Cal Poly and Grand Canyon visit on Saturday (March 2) for two duals. USC home duals will be streamed live on the USC Live Stream platform and live scores are available via links at USCTrojans.com.
For more information on the USC beach volleyball team, a complete schedule, and results, please visit USCTrojans.com/beach. Fans of the Women of Troy can follow the team on Instagram and on X @USCBeach.
No. 2 UCLA def. No. 1 USC, 4-1
Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Beach Classic Final
Queen’s Beach · Honolulu, Hawai’i
Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024
RECORDS: USC (4-2), UCLA (4-3)
1. Maggie BOYD/Lexy DENABURG (UCLA) def….
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