Cal Beach Volleyball Splits Pair of Duals at MPSF Coast to Coast Classic

LOS ANGELES – The No. 10 California beach volleyball team secured a 4-1 victory over No. 13 LSU before falling to No. 3 and host USC 5-0 on Friday at the MPSF Coast to Coast Classic. The Golden Bears (6-5) showcased resilience in both matchups, with seven matches going to three sets, including four against the Trojans.

Bears Top LSU in Competitive Matchup

Cal’s top pair of senior Portia Sherman and junior Emma Donley, along with the No. 3 duo of senior Gia Fisher and junior Ava Haughy, each battled back from dropping the first set to secure three-set wins against the Tigers. The Bears’ No. 2 pair of senior Marilu Pally and junior Grace Hong, and their No. 4 pair of Mila Vugrincic and Jenna Colligan, each earned two-set victories.

USC Proves Too Strong for Cal

Against USC, the Bears fought hard, winning the first set in three of the five matches, but ultimately couldn’t overcome the Trojans’ comeback ability. Fisher and Haughy nearly pulled off a victory, holding three match points in the third set before falling 21-17, 18-21, 17-15.

Match Results

No. 3 USC 5, No. 10 California 0

• No. 1: Zoey Henson/Sarah Wood (USC) def. Emma Donley/Portia Sherman, 17-21, 21-18, 15-12
• No. 2: Ashley Pater/Kennedy Coakley (USC) def. Marilu Pally/Grace Hong, 15-21, 21-17, 15-12
• No. 3: Alana Embry/Quincy Stephens (USC) def. Gia Fisher/Ava Haughy, 21-17, 18-21, 17-15
• No. 4: Bella Satterwhite/Kerry Keefe (USC) def. Mila Vugrincic/Jenna Colligan, 21-18, 21-17
• No. 5: Kyra Zaengle/Calinda Kok (USC) def. Elle Evers/Mila Yarich, 20-22, 21-14, 15-10

No. 10 California 4, No. 13 LSU 1

• No. 1: Emma Donley/Portia Sherman (Cal) def. Julia Sprecher/Kenzey McGatlin, 20-22, 23-21, 15-8
• No. 2: Marilu Pally/Grace Hong (Cal) def. Skylar Martin/Tatum Finlason, 21-18, 21-17
• No. 3: Gia Fisher/Ava Haughy (Cal) def. Camryn Chatellier/Aubrey O’Gorman, 15-21, 21-15, 15-12
• No. 4: Mila Vugrincic/Jenna Colligan (Cal) def. Kate Baker/Zayna Meyer, 27-25, 21-19
• No. 5: Emily Hellmuth/Bella Lagermann (LSU) def. Elle Evers/Mila Yarich, 19-21, 21-12, 15-12

Cal will continue play in the MPSF Coast to Coast Classic on Saturday against No. 16 Grand Canyon, and No. 18 Washington.