IRVINE -- Cal State LA's beach volleyball team had some promising results Friday in its 2024 season opener against Westcliff at the Orange County Great Park.
The Golden Eagles, one day after enjoying a celebration of their 2023 NCAA Championship in indoor volleyball, battled before falling to Westcliff, 3-2. The highlights of the day came at the No. 3 and No. 4 pairs, where the Golden Eagles picked up straight-set victories.Â
Shelby Grubbs and
Haley Roundtree, who both spoke beautifully at the celebration pep rally on Thursday, picked up a win at No. 3 pairs, 27-25, 21-18 over Westclifff's Faith Webb and Izzy Duchaine. The team of
Zuhal Cetin and
Tehya Chadwick was also victorious, beating Chloe Johnson and Diamonique Brogan at No. 4 pairs, 21-14, 21-18.
Cal State LA's No. 1 and No. 2 pairs teams fell in tight three-set decisions.
Iane Henke and
Ashley Dittmann won the first set, only to see Westcliff's Sabrina Galassi and Marcela Rodriguez rally to take the point, 17-21, 21-19, 15-13, at No. 1 pairs and
Emily Elliott and
Matalasi Danielson also won the first set before Serena Comer and Brooke Scheidle rallied to take a 17-21, 27-25, 15-8 decision.
At No. 5 pairs,
Jameson Sanders and newcomer
Samarah DaCoud fell to Westcliff's Ava Himstreet and Samantha Swanson, 21-8, 21-17.
Cal State LA will play next on March 8 with matches against Concordia and Vanguard, also at Great Park.
