(10) LSU
Cal Poly Beach Volleyball Beats Two Ranked Opponents
3/12/2017 12:00:00 AM | Beach Volleyball
MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. – The Cal Poly beach volleyball team wrapped up a successful weekend at the East Meets West Invitational in Manhattan Beach Calif., as the team picked up another ranked win after beating No. 12 Florida International University 4-1.
The Mustangs went 2-2 at the invitational, with two of their wins being against top 12 teams. On Saturday, Cal Poly beat No. 7 Georgia State 4-1 and fell to No. 2 Florida State 5-0. On Sunday, before taking down FIU, the Mustangs fell to No. 10 Louisiana State University 5-0.
"After a disappointing loss to No. 10 LSU, we rebounded in strong fashion to beat No. 12 FIU," said head coach Todd Rogers. "There are still areas of potentially tremendous growth, but overall it was a good weekend for Mustang beach volleyball with two victories over top 12 ranked opponents."
The Mustangs started their second day of the invitational taking on LSU, where the Mustangs' No. 3 pair of Raeann Greisen and Heather Pembroke were defeated by Olivia Powers and Katie Lindelow 21-6, 21-17.
Taylor Gruenewald and Brayden Gruenewald, the No. 5 pair, were beat by Cati Leak and Callan Molle 21-17, 21-14.
Adlee Van Winden and Taylor Nelson pushed Claire Coppola and Kristen Nuss to three sets, but couldn't hold on, as they fell 16-21, 21-19, 15-11 at the No. 2 spot, clinching the match for LSU.
Savannah Niemen and Anna Gorman put up a fight against Riley Young and Megan Davenport but lost 21-15, 18-21, 19-17 at the No. 4 spot.
Emily Sonny and Hannah Hubbard finished the match forcing a third set against Emmy Allen and Ashley Allmer, but fell 18-21, 21-18, 15-10 at the No. 1 spot.
The Mustangs turned the momentum around in their second match of the day against FIU, starting with Nelson and Van Winden's win at the No. 2 spot against Katie Hogan and Kari Peterson 21-18, 21-12.
Naty Giron and Lina Bernier tied the score up after they beat Greisen and Pembroke 21-8, 21-12.
The Mustangs took the lead back after the No. 4 pair of Niemen and Gorman beat Bela Sataric and Estefanie Bethancourt 22-20, 21-19.
Up 2-1, the Gruenewalds clinched the match for Cal Poly, as they beat Bianca Bianchin and Taija Thomas in a three set match 21-16, 10-21, 15-8.
Sonny and Hubbard finished the match off on a strong note, as they beat Helene Thelle and Dori Klinger at the No. 1 spot 13-21, 21-15, 15-7.
The Mustangs are now 4-6 on the season and 1-0 in conference play and will be back on the sand to host Benedictine University March 16 at 9 a.m. and then TCU at 1 p.m. at Pismo Beach.
No. 10 LSU 5, Cal Poly 0
#1: Emmy Allen/Ashley Allmer (LSU) def. Emily Sonny/Hannah Hubbard (CP) – 18-21, 21-18, 15-10
#2: Claire Coppola/Kristen Nuss (LSU) def. Adlee Van Winden/Taylor Nelson (CP) – 16-21, 21-19, 15-11
#3: Olivia Powers/Katie Lindelow (LSU) def. Raeann Greisen/Heather Pembroke (CP) – 21-6, 21-17
#4: Riley Young/Megan Davenport (LSU) def. Savannah Niemen/Anna Gorman (CP) – 21-15, 18-21, 19-17
#5: Cati Leak/Callan Molle (LSU) def. Taylor Gruenwald/Brayden Gruenwald (CP) – 21-17, 21-14
Order of finish: 3, 5, 2*, 4, 1
Cal Poly 4, No. 12 FIU 1
#1: Emily Sonny/Hannah Hubbard (CP) def. Helene Thelle/Dori Klinger (FIU) – 13-21, 21-15, 15-7
#2: Adlee Van Winden/Taylor Nelson (CP) def. Katie Hogan/Kari Peterson (FIU) – 21-18, 21-12
#3: Naty Giron/Lina Bernier (FIU) def. Raeann Greisen/Heather Pembroke (CP) – 21-8, 21-12
#4: Savannah Niemen/Anna Gorman (CP) def. Bela Sataric/Estefanie Bethancourt (FIU) – 22-20, 21-19
#5: Taylor Gruenwald/Brayden Gruenwald (CP) def. Bianca Bianchin/Taija Thomas (FIU) – 21-16, 10-21, 15-8
Order of finish: 2, 3, 4, 5*, 1
