California State University at Northridge
Utah
Beach Volleyball Sweeps Santa Clara to Split Third Tri-Dual of the Week
3/8/2025 3:52:00 PM | Beach Volleyball
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - The CSUN beach volleyball team (5-7) wrapped up a six-match week with its third split in as many dual matches after falling to Utah (4-1) and sweeping Santa Clara (5-0) on Saturday at the CSUN Beach Volleyball Complex.
The Matadors earned the three splits all in the same fashion, dropping the morning opener before bouncing back for a convincing win in the afternoon contest.
UTAHÂ 4, CSUN 1
After defeating the Utes 3-2 on Friday, the Matadors came up short in a 4-1 final on Saturday. Utah claimed both points in the first flight, winning 2-0 on both the No. 4 and No. 2 courts. Sonja Wessel and Maeve Griffin earned the win at No. 4, sweeping Tia Mendiola and Julia Bazylevych, 21-15, 21-15. The Utes also won the No. 2 pair in straight sets behind a 21-19, 21-13 win by Bella Vezzani and Langley Griffin over Haley Coggins and Ainsley Patrick.
Dylan Hall and Hannah Heflin cut the Utah lead to 2-1 with a 23-21, 21-16 victory over Lauren Sayre and Chloe Narancich on the No. 5 court. Utah then clinched the dual win on center court when Katie McAlister and Quincy Stephens topped Tasha Mae and Kinley Lindhardt, 21-15, 21-16. The Utes would close out the 4-1 win with a three-set win in the No. 3 pair when Kylie Pitzak and Elly Collins held off Maleya Miles and Layla Cederlind, 21-11, 15-21, 15-13.
CSUN 5, SANTA CLARAÂ 0
Looking to salvage the split in the afternoon for the third straight day, the Matadors put together one of their more dominating efforts of the season in sweeping the Broncos. CSUN did not drop a single set against Santa Clara, winning both points in the first flight while Santa Clara claimed the No. 6 pair. Miles and Cederlind opened the scoring with a 21-18, 21-17 win over Ciara Cantlen and Callie Loughran before Coggins and Patrick got back in the win column with a 21-18, 21-10 victory over Noelle Niederman and Teegan Wilson at No. 2. In the exhibition contest, Natalia Brandlin and Julia Gunner paired up for the first time this season, falling to Hayley Hahn and Sveva Munneke, 21-16, 21-14.
Hall and Heflin clinched CSUN's fifth win of the season with a 21-15, 21-12 sweep over Ava Stoddard and Kawena Chillingworth on the No. 5 court. Mendiola and Bazylevych then took a 21-18, 21-10 win over Noelle Niederman and Teegan Wilson at No. 3 before Mae and Lindhardt completed the sweep by defeating Sadie Snipes and Sammy Wood on center court, 21-14, 21-18. Â
HEAD COACH ARI HOMAYUNÂ SAID
"Glad we pulled out the sweep against Santa Clara after losing to Utah early this morning. It's always tougher in the rematch and Utah was unfortunately the better team. They looked way more comfortable especially with the lack of wind. We have to continue refining our offensive range to beat a team like that when they are playing well. But, again, felt good to turn it around and beat Santa Clara across the board. It's been tough getting all pairs to compete well at the same time so I'm glad we got that to happen today. Thankfully we have a break from the back to back matches and we will have a full week of practice before we head to Malibu."
UP NEXT
The Matadors will have a week off before returning to the sand next Saturday (Feb. 28), traveling to Malibu to meet UTEP and Morehead State on the Pepperdine campus.
UTAH 4, CSUN 1
1. - Katie McAlister/Quincy Stephens (UTAH) def. Tasha Mae/Kinley Lindhardt (CSUN), 21-15, 21-16
2. - Bella Vezzani/Langley Griffin (UTAH) def. Haley Coggins/Ainsley Patrick (CSUN), 21-19, 21-13
3. - Kylie Pitzak/Elly Collins (UTAH) def. Maleya Miles/Layla Cederlind (CSUN), 21-11, 15-21, 15-13
4. - Sonja Wessel/Maeve Griffin (UTAH) def. Tia Mendiola/Julia Bazylevych, 8-21, 21-19, 15-13
5. - Dylan Hall/Hannah Heflin (CSUN) def. Lauren Sayre/Chloe Narancich (UTAH), 23-21, 21-16
1. - Tasha Mae/Kinley Lindhardt (CSUN) def. Sadie Snipes/Sammy Wood (SCU), 21-14, 21-16
2. - Haley Coggins/Ainsley Patrick (CSUN) def. Alexandra Urbina/Holland Jackson (SCU), 21-17, 23-21
3. - Tia Mendiola/Julia Bazylevych (CSUN) def. Noelle Niederman/Teegan Wilson (SCU), 21-18, 21-10
4. - Maleya Miles /Layla Cederlind (CSUN) def. Ciara Cantlen/Callie Loughran (SCU), 21-18, 21-17
5. - Dylan Hall/Hannah Heflin (CSUN) def. Ava Stoddard/Kawena Chillingworth (SCU), 21-15, 21-12
Exh. - Hayley Hahn/Sveva Munneke (SCU) def. Natalia Brandlin/Julia Gunner (CSUN), 21-16, 21-14
#GoMatadors
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