DAVIS, Calif. — For the second straight contest, the top tandem of junior
Paloma Bowman and sophomore
Jane Seslar clinched an Aggie victory as the UC Davis beach volleyball team won its rematch with Bay Area rival San Jose State by a 3-2 score on a rainy Saturday morning in Davis, Calif.
UC Davis evened its record at 3-3 overall on the season with the victory, avenging a season-opening defeat at the hands of the Spartans by the same score back on Feb. 22 in San Jose. Meanwhile, it was only the second loss of the year for San Jose State, which fell to 8-2 overall.
Trailing by one after a three-set loss at the five's, the Aggies rattled off three consecutive victories to clinch the match, tying the score with a win at the four's thanks to the duo of
Rose Holscher and
Alexa Rockas, who defeated Ryann Thomison and Kiley Lingenfelter, 21-17, 21-19, for their team-best fourth win as a pair this season.
That victory was followed by a win at the three's as freshman
Megan Luly and senior
Heather Reed won in straight sets over Haylee Nelson and Sarah Smevog, 21-15, 21-19, setting the stage for the win at the top spot in the lineup as Bowman and Seslar powered past Caitlin Bettenay and Kaitlynn Zdroik, 21-17, 22-20, to clinch the match.
The Aggies opened strong in their two defeats on the day, winning the first sets at both the No. 2 and No. 5 spots in the lineup before falling in three sets — including a heartbreaking 16-14 decision in the final set at No. 5.
The sophomore tandem of
Madelin Smith and
Demari Webb also posted a straight set win in an exhibition, as did
Emily Horner and
Jackie Walker.
All told, including exhibitions, the Aggies lost only four of 16 sets on the day.
UC Davis' four-match homestand continues on Wednesday (March 11) at Noon, hosting Stephen F. Austin and Arizona in a doubleheader at the UC Davis Beach Volleyball Facility.
UC Davis 3, San Jose State 2
1. Bowman, Paloma / Seslar, Jane (UCD) def. Caitlin Bettenay/Kaitlynn Zdroik (SJSU) 21-17, 22-20
2. Thaliana Grajeda/Tabea Schwarz (SJSU) def. Maeglin, Chelsea / Schroeder, Savanah (UCD) 23-25, 21-9, 15-8
3. Luly, Megan / Reed, Heather (UCD) def. Haylee Nelson/Sarah Smevog (SJSU) 21-15, 21-19
4. Holscher, Rose / Rockas, Alexa (UCD) def. Ryann Thomison/Kiley Lingenfelter (SJSU) 21-17, 21-19
5. Latahevai Lousi/Summer Vercruyssen (SJSU) def. Bassi, Isabel / Herdman, Bailey (UCD) 14-21, 21-17, 16-14
Ext. Smith, Madelin / Webb, Demari (UCD) def. Kacy Hele/Yazmin Pitpit (SJSU) 21-19, 21-18
Match Notes:
San Jose State 8-2
UC Davis 3-3
Order of finish: Doubles (5,4,3,1,2)
ABOUT UC DAVIS
Providing a small-town community feel while providing a world-class academic experience, UC Davis is home to more than 37,000 students and centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley. The No. 5-ranked public university in the nation according to the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education, and among the top 15 public universities nationwide according to U.S. News and World Report, UC Davis offers nearly 100 graduate programs and more than 100 academic majors across four colleges and six professional schools, ranking among the world and nation's best in numerous disciplines, including veterinary science, agriculture, and plant and animal programs.
AGGIE EVO
Launched in 2017-18, the Aggie EVO System is UC Davis Athletics' investment in the primary mission of preparing student-athletes for a successful "launch" after graduation. Thanks to a collaboration of alumni, university resources, corporate partners, coaches and Student-Athlete Outcomes staff, all Aggies are guided over four years to acquire the skills, knowledge, opportunities and tools to better know and navigate the "World of Work" after graduating from UC Davis. Follow the Aggie EVO system on Twitter and Instagram at @AggieEVO.
MARYA WELCH INITIATIVE
Named after the former physical education instructor, coach and Dean of Women who founded women's sports on the campus 25 years before the passage of Title IX, the Marya Welch Initiative for Women's Athletics provides comprehensive support for UC Davis' 16 women's athletics programs. Through the support of the Marya Welch Initiative and its group members, student-athletes are provided the best possible opportunity to succeed inside the classroom, and in competition, through special project gifts and by increasing visibility and participation at women's events throughout the year. All gifts to the Marya Welch Initiative are matched 1:1, doubling the impact on our women's programs. Visit https://give.ucdavis.edu/ATHG/324041 for more information.
