IRVINE, Calif. – The Concordia University Irvine beach volleyball team split its home doubleheader on Friday, falling to CSUN 5-0 in a tough morning matchup before bouncing back in emphatic fashion with a 5-0 sweep of CSU Los Angeles in the afternoon.
CUI 0, CSUN 5
CUI was unable to secure a point in the dual despite several close battles across the lineup. At the No. 1 position, Kelia Giusta and Ashley Rossi pushed their match to three sets, rebounding from a 19-21 first set loss with a dominant 21-8 second set, but ultimately fell just short in the final set, 13-15.
The Matadors held control by claiming the remaining four courts, all in three-set fashion. At the No. 2 position, Aliyah Moore and Teagan Algarra opened strong with a 21-11 first set win but ultimately fell 16-21, 11-15. Lexi Godbey and Olivia Medina also forced a third set at No. 3 after taking the opener 21-16, but dropped the final two sets 14-21, 8-15.
At the No. 4 spot, Jordan Vander Veen and Rosie Cline mirrored that pattern, winning the first set 21-13 before falling 16-21, 10-15.
The closest match of the dual came at No. 5, where Madi Kelly and Emma Hugeback pushed extra points in the second set but came up short 21-16, 23-25, 6-15.
CUI 5, CAL STATE LA 0
The Golden Eagles regrouped in the afternoon, posting a 5-0 sweep of CSU Los Angeles in straight sets across the board.
Giusta and Rossi set the tone at the top spot with a commanding 21-5, 21-12 victory. The momentum carried through the lineup as Olivia Medina paired with Rossi at No. 2 to earn a 21-8, 21-7 win.
Moore and Algarra added another point at No. 3, handling their opponents 21-13, 21-17. At the No. 4 position, Rosie Cline and Taylor Soule delivered the most decisive result of the day, allowing just six total points in a 21-3, 21-3 victory.
Kelly and Hugeback capped off the sweep at No. 5 with a 21-6, 21-14 win to secure the shutout for CUI.
UP NEXT
The Golden Eagles head to Bakersfield for another pair of duals on Saturday, March 28. CUI will face Vanguard at 10:30 a.m. before taking on Cal State Bakersfield at 2:30 p.m.
CLICK HERE for the full CUI beach volleyball schedule
