HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – The Concordia University Irvine beach volleyball team delivered a tale of two duals on Tuesday, dropping a hard-fought 4-1 decision to UC Davis in the morning before storming back in dominant fashion with a 5-0 sweep of Vanguard University to close out the day.
CUI 1, UC DAVIS 4
The Golden Eagles opened the day against UC Davis, with the Aggies claiming four of the five scoring courts.
CUI earned its lone point at the No. 2 position, where Ashley Rossi and Kelia Giusta delivered an impressive straight-set victory, 21-6, 24-22, to put Concordia on the board early. The Aggies responded quickly, however, taking control of the dual with wins across the remaining flights.
At the No. 4 and No. 5 positions, UC Davis secured straight-set victories to build momentum and take the lead in the match. The clinching point came at the No. 3 court, where Lexi Godbey and Rosie Cline battled but ultimately fell in two sets.
The top flight provided the most competitive matchup of the dual, as Aliyah Moore and Teagan Algarra pushed to three sets before coming up just short in a tight contest, 21-19, 19-21, 15-5.
CUI 5, VANGUARD 0
The Golden Eagles responded in a big way in the afternoon dual, sweeping Vanguard University, 5-0, in one of its most complete performances of the season.
The Golden Eagles controlled the match from the start, earning straight-set victories on all five scoring courts. Rosie Cline and Jordan Vander Veen set the tone early at the No. 4 position, securing a 21-19, 21-13 win to give CUI momentum.
Rossi and Giusta continued their strong day at the No. 2 flight with a decisive 21-11, 21-15 victory, while Godbey and Olivia Medina followed with a commanding performance at No. 3, winning 21-12, 21-10 to help clinch the dual.
At the top spot, Moore and Alvarez handled their matchup in straight sets, 21-17, 21-16, and the No. 5 pair of Madi Kelly and Emma HugeBack capped off the sweep with a 21-17, 21-19 win.
UP NEXT
The Golden Eagles remain at home this week as they prepare for another doubleheader on Friday, March 27 at OC Great Park. The Green and Gold will face CSUN at 11:00 a.m. before taking on Cal State LA at 3:00 p.m.
