No. 11 Mustangs Fall to Pair of Top-Seven Teams Sunday

Sunday, March 6

Los Angeles, CA

12 P.M.

Grand Canyon University

Photo by: NCAA Photos via Getty Images

No. 11 Mustangs Fall to Pair of Top-Seven Teams Sunday

3/6/2022 8:25:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

LOS ANGELES — Wrapping up its second weekend of action, the Cal Poly beach volleyball team fell to a pair of top-seven teams Sunday in Los Angeles. The No. 11 Mustangs (2-6) lost to No. 7 Grand Canyon, 3-2, and No. 2 UCLA, 4-1.

The Mustangs, who have faced six ranked opponents through their first eight matches, were once again put to the test Sunday in a weekend that saw them play four opponents all ranked inside the top-14.

Against the No. 7 Lopes, Cal Poly scored first after the No. 4 duo of freshman Peyton Dueck and graduate transfer Addison Hermstad collected a 22-20, 21-15 win over Abbie Hughes and Madi Relaz.

However, GCU proceeded to pick up wins at the No. 2, No. 5 and No. 3 spots to secure the victory over the Mustangs.

Cal Poly's No. 1 pair of redshirt senior Tia Miric and freshman Ella Connor finished up the dual with a 21-19, 21-18 over Anaya Evans and Jess Vastine. They finished the weekend with a 3-1 record together.

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Later against the No. 2 Bruins, Dueck and Hermstad fell at the No. 4 spot to Sophie Moore and Natalie Myszkowski, 21-15, 21-11 to put UCLA on the board first.

The Bruins then got back-to-back wins at the No. 2 and No. 3 spots to clinch the victory. At the No. 2 spot, freshman Piper Ferch and redshirt junior Jayelin Lombard took the first set but ultimately fell to Lea Monkhouse and Rileigh Powers, 14-21, 21-16, 15-12.

At the No. 3 spot, it was UCLA's Devon Newberry and Jaden Whitmarsh getting a 21-14, 21-13 win over redshirt juniors Delaney Peranich and Eleonore Johansen.

Cal Poly's lone point came from a familiar No. 5 pairing for the Mustangs in redshirt junior Vanessa Roscoe and redshirt sophomore Josie Ulrich. They Marlie Monserez and Jessie Smith 24-22, 17-21, 15-11.

The Mustangs will now get to play the next two weekends at home. On Friday, March 11, Cal Poly will host San Jose State at 4 p.m. and No. 4 Loyola Marymount at 7 p.m. Then on Saturday, March 12, the Mustangs will host Washington at 10:30 a.m. followed by Arizona State at 1 p.m. from Swanson Beach Volleyball Complex.