Matadors Sweep Vanguard, 5-0 in Season Opener

Wednesday, February 28

Northridge, Calif.

1:00 p.m.

California State University at Northridge

Vanguard

Photo by: Braden Villanueva

Matadors Sweep Vanguard, 5-0 in Season Opener

2/28/2018 2:57:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

Box Score (PDF)

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - The CSUN beach volleyball team got the 2018 season off to a successful start, sweeping visiting Vanguard University 5-0 Wednesday afternoon at the Matador Beach Volleyball Facility.

The Matadors (1-0), who were only threatened in a few sets, pick up the win in their season opener for just the second time in five seasons of beach volleyball.

"I think it's great to get the first win under our belt, winning builds confidence," said CSUN head coach Noelle Rooke. "However I also want to make sure we're preparing our girls and I think it's a balance between getting the wins and the preparation. Overall, happy to get the win on our home sand, we need a few more of those."

The first flight of matches opened the afternoon and Shawnee De Oliveria and Cassidy Rosso dominated the Lions pair of Mackenzie Mitchell and Angel Carroll in the exhibition match. CSUN won the pair 21-7, 21-7

The next two matches also went to the Matadors as Erin Indermill and Daniella Molinari swept Eliana Johnson and Karly Cantu by the score of 21-14, 21-14. The No. 2 match went final soon after with CSUN's Kristey Markle and Nickeisha Williams earning a 21-18, 21-9 victory over Hannah Holder and Kelli Dowell.

Needing just a single win in the second flight of matches, the Matadors clinched the dual with a 21-6, 21-4 win at No. 5 as Nicolette Pinkney and Lauren Conati dominated the Vanguard pair of Karli Burk and Bree Belton.

Katie Sato and Aeryn Owens next swept Gabby Morrison and Kayla Tinker in the No. 1 pair by the identical scores of 21-14, 21-14. At No. 3, Lauren McMurray and Autumn Russell had a fight on their hands as Dani Erdelatz and Charity Dennis came back after dropping the first set 21-9 to force extra points before CSUN pulled out the 25-23 win.

CSUN next hosts a tri-dual Saturday as the Matadors take on CSU Bakersfield at 11 a.m. and No. 7 Long Beach State at 3 p.m.

#GoMatadors