Women’s Beach Volleyball | March 05, 2023
LOS ANGELES – The fourth-ranked USC beach volleyball team (6-0) defeated top-ranked and previously undefeated crosstown rival UCLA (9-1) in a 3-2 finish to conclude the Pac-12 South Invitational at Merle Norman Stadium on Sunday, March 5.
The Women of Troy have now won 42 consecutive duals dating back one year to March 5, 2022. The Trojans also improved to 78-11 all-time at Merle Norman Stadium and have won 13 straight home duals. USC goes to 22-14 all-time in duals against the Bruins and has won six straight over its crosstown rival.
UCLA took the first two points of the dual with wins at the Nos. 2 and 4 positions. On four, Olivia Bakos and Bailey Showalter went the distance but fell, 15-13, in the third to former Trojan Haley Hallgren and partner Rileigh Powers.
The comeback began at the top court where juniors Megan Kraft and Delaynie Maple completed a 23-21, 21-18 win over Lexy Denaburg and Abby Van Winkle to improve to 6-0 on the season. Moments later, freshmen Delaney Karl and Gabby Walker evened the dual on their 21-18, 11-21, 15-10 win over Marlie Monserez and Jaden Whitmarsh at the No. 5 position.
Down to the third court, USC twin seniors Audrey Nourse and Nicole Nourse dropped the first set to Peri Brennan and Tessa Van Winkle, 21-15, but fought tooth and nail to take the second, 24-22. The third was tied 15 times but the sisters found themselves on the winning end of a 17-15 finish the take down the previously unbeaten Bruins.
USC hosts six more duals at Merle Norman Stadium next weekend as Stanford, Cal Poly, Concordia, and Long Beach State visit for the Battle for Los Angeles Invitational.
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 Twitter @USCBeach.
No. 12 California def. No. 17 Arizona, 5-0
Pac-12 South Invitational
Merle Norman Stadium · Los Angeles, Calif.
Sunday, March 5, 2023
RECORDS: California (4-2), Arizona (5-2)
1. Ella DREIBHOLZ/Maya GESSNER (CAL) def. Sarah BLACKER/Alex PARKHURST (ARIZ); 21-14, 22-24, 15-12
2. Ashley DELGADO/Ainsley RADELL (CAL) def. Grace COOK/Alana RENNIE (ARIZ); 21-14, 21-15
3. Lexi McKEOWN/Alex YOUNG-GOMEZ (CAL) def….
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