Aikman Fang (@AikmanFang) – Spear Beat Reporter
SJSU Beach Volleyball (8-5, 1-5 SLC) went on a three-match win streak before losing to Boise State in the SJSU Tournament at Spartan Beach this weekend.
“Every single pair that stepped on the sand for us learned and got better,” said associate head coach Gary Hodge.
Spartans go 2-0 on day 1 of the SJSU Tournament
Sophomore Isabelle Sistek and freshman Meredith Scott won the first set of the tournament 25-23 over USF’s sophomore Sophia Solomon and graduate Isadora Nicolai. However, Solomon and Nicolai bounced back winning the following two sets, 21-18, and 15-9, giving the Dons the first match of the dual.
Freshmen Blaire Fleming and Nayeli Tia defeated USF’s sophomore Francesca Stanschus and freshman Jolie Gutierrez in three sets 21-18, 19-21, 15-10. Fleming and Tia ran away with the match after starting the third set with a 10-5 lead.
The next pair of Spartans, Freshman Teila Allen, and sophomore Tessa Rodgers lost their first set 21-18 to the Dons’ freshmen Raine Stevens and Rylie Reeves but rallied back to win the next two 21-14, 15-13.
Then junior Jaida Ward and senior Cheyenne Rice clinched the dual for SJSU by defeating USF’s Letizia Aquilino and Mckenna Towne in straight sets 21-18, 21-14. The Spartans defeated the Dons 3-2.
Sistek and Scott bounced back in the dual against CSU Bakersfield by defeating junior Pearle Moore and sophomore Megan Gilbert in straight sets 22-20, 21-17.
The Spartans and Roadrunners were tied 2-2 in their dual after trading the next couple of matches. Then Ward and Rice defeated CSU Bakersfield’s graduate Sophia Brandsetter and senior Hana Makonova in a decisive three sets 25-23, 21-23, 19-17.
Spartans celebrate Senior Day on day 2 of the SJSU Tournament after defeating the Ducks
Fleming and Allen gave SJSU the early advantage by defeating Oregon’s juniors Abby Plevin and Batia Rotshtein in straight sets 21-14, 21-14.
The Spartans jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the Ducks after Sistek and Scott defeated junior Lolo Folau and sophomore Presley McCaskill in straight sets as well 23-21, 21-13.
Oregon would bounce back with their No. 2 and No. 3 pairs both winning their matches in straight sets and tying the score 2-2.
Once again the Spartans’ No. 1 pair, Ward and Rice, came up clutch defeating the Ducks’ duo of seniors Zoe Almanza and Chloe Brown in straight sets 21-16, 21-16.
The Spartans celebrated senior Amethyst Harper before the dual against Boise State with this being the final time they played on Saturday afternoon at Spartan Beach this season.
SJSU met its match in the dual against Boise State as the Broncos handed the Spartans their only loss this weekend with a 5-0 sweep.
Rice and Ward were the only SJSU pair to win a set but fell to Boise State’s sophomore Madison Nichols and junior Sierra Land in three sets, 21-13, 21-23, 15-12.
“I’m extra proud of Cheyenne Rice and Jaida Ward. . . there were two instances in two of our duels that we won where it came down to them, and they came through both times,” said Hodge.
SJSU beach volleyball looks to build off this strong performance when it heads down the road to face Stanford next Monday, March 27.