Cal Poly Wins Both Matches at Day One of Arizona Invitational

Friday, March 17

Tucson, AZ

10 A.M.

Texas A&M - Corpus Christi

Cal Poly Wins Both Matches at Day One of Arizona Invitational

3/17/2023 5:02:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

TUCSON, Ariz. — Cal Poly beach volleyball got off to a strong start at the Arizona Invitational Friday in Tucson, beating both Texas A&M Corpus Christi and Arizona Christian University. The Mustangs (4-12) beat the Islanders 4-1 before sweeping Arizona Christian 5-0. Starting its day against Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Cal Poly's No. 1 pairing of freshman Izzy Martinez and sophomore Piper Ferch got things started with a 21-14, 21-15 victory. The Mustangs' No. 2 duo of senior Jayelin Lombard and junior Piper Naess gave Cal Poly a 2-0 lead a short time later after winning 21-16, 21-15. The Islanders then won at the No. 3 spot to get on the board before the Mustangs' No. 5 pair of senior Kalee Graff and freshman Margo Smith clinched the dual for Cal Poly after collecting a come-from-behind three set win, 10-21, 21-19, 15-6. Also earning a victory for Cal Poly was the No. 4 tandem of junior Julia Soeller and freshman Emma Zuffelato. They also came back after dropping the first set to win it, 19-21, 21-19, 15-10. A couple hours later, the Mustangs were back at it against Arizona Christian, an NAIA-level program from Glendale, Ariz. Cal Poly, who made some changes to its lineup for the dual, was dominant. Soeller and Zuffelato cruised to a 21-7, 21-8 victory at the No. 4 spot to give the Mustangs a 1-0 lead. Peranich and Golik moved up to the No. 2 spot, getting a 21-13, 21-18 win to improve their record together to 3-3 on the year. At the No. 3 spot, it was Naess and freshman Marina Warren, a local product from San Luis Obispo, earning a 21-10, 21-15 victory to clinch the dual for Cal Poly. It was Warren's first win of her Cal Poly beach volleyball career. At the No. 1 spot, it was Ferch and Lombard, who were paired together all of last season and were named First Team All-Big West, teaming up for an emphatic 21-7, 21-5 win. The 5-0 sweep was sealed after Graff and freshman Addie Bounds won in straight sets at the No. 5 spot, 21-15, 21-16. Cal Poly will be back on the sand in Tucson Saturday to wrap up the Arizona Invitational against Southern Mississippi at 10 a.m. and No. 17 Arizona at 1 p.m.