It’s no secret that USC beach volleyball has some of the best duos in the nation.
“If someone’s gonna beat us, they’re gonna have to bring it,” head coach Dain Blanton said.
The Trojans’ (10-2) continued to display dominance on Tuesday, as they handily swept the CSUN Matadors (0-7) and took down the No. 15 Stetson Hatters (8-2) 4-1 at home. The win against CSUN was USC’s 100th all-time victory at Merle Norman Stadium.
“This is a special place,” Blanton said. “It’s the first collegiate [beach volleyball] facility that was ever built back in 2013… It’s a tough place to play. I’m glad it’s our home.”
Sophomore Kennedy Coakley and junior Ashley Pater finished first against CSUN in the No. 2 spot, notching two aggressive 21-9 victories over seniors Tia Mendiola and Ainsley Patrick. The duo rounded out the day with 21-17 and 21-19 wins over Stetson senior Maria Ozaeta and sophomore Marta Carro.
“They have great chemistry together,” Blanton said of the pair. “It’s like poetry in motion when they’re out on the court and all things are firing.”
“We’re killers,” Coakley added. “We’re killers together, and that’s why we’re often really successful out there.”
USC juniors Madison Goellner and Kaileigh Truslow fought a closer battle against CSUN at No. 4, but eventually pulled off 23-21 and 21-14 wins against senior Jill Rodig and junior Zaria Henderson. The duo also put together two 21-15 victories over the Hatters after moving to No. 5.
Freshman Kyra Zaengle and sophomore Calinda Kok secured dominant 21-14 and 21-8 wins over the Matadors and moved up to the No. 4 spot against Stetson, garnering 21-17 and 21-8 victories and remaining undefeated as a pair on the season.
A strong start to the season meant junior Zoey Henson and freshman Sarah Wood would remain at the No. 1 spot for the Trojans. They were named Most Outstanding Pair at last weekend’s Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Beach Classic despite USC losses to No. 2 UCLA and No. 5 Texas, going 6-0 as a duo. On Tuesday, they recorded victories in straight sets against CSUN sophomore Hannah Heflin and junior Maleya Miles (21-17, 21-13) and Stetson sophomore Julia Radelczuk and freshman EJ Cudmore (21-16, 21-17).
USC senior Alana Embry and sophomore Quincy Stephens notched efficient wins in the three spot against CSUN (21-16, 21-12) but struggled against Stetson freshmen Anniina Muukka and Zoe Flueckiger. A hard-fought first set resulted in a 24-22 loss for the Trojans, who fell 21-19 in the second set despite initially leading 16-9.
“It’s never going to go perfect,” Coakley said. “But I am a firm believer that whoever’s the most aggressive and whoever plays the cleanest game of volleyball wins.”
Wins are at the foundation of USC’s time at Merle Norman; the program has only lost 11 matches at the stadium since its opening 13 years ago. The Trojans will look to build on that success when they host this weekend’s Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Midseason Rumble, which will feature No. 10 California, Oregon, No. 16 GCU and No. 13 LSU.