Aikman Fang (@AikmanFang) – Spear Reporter
SJSU beach volleyball (10-7, 1-5 SLC) defeated Sacramento State (6-11) 4-1 in a doubleheader bouncing back after its 1-4 loss against Saint Mary’s at Moraga on Thursday.
The Spartans were 6-0 against teams in the WCC this season heading into Thursday’s doubleheader. SJSU looked like it was going to end the regular season undefeated against the WCC after freshmen Teila Allen and Blare Fleming defeated the Gaels’ pair of junior Paola Peralta and Allie Cataldo in straight sets 21-13, 21-10 in the first match of the dual
SJSU led 1-0 but couldn’t secure the win and lost the next four matches to Saint Mary’s. The Spartans found themselves in a slump and lost the last eight of nine sets in the dual against the Gael.
SJSU bounced back and quickly clinched its next dual against Saint Mary’s by winning the first three matches.
Once again, Allen and Fleming gave the Spartans the first match after defeating Hornets freshmen duo Ashlynn Archer and Carrie Crow in three sets 19-21, 21-15, 15-11. They were the only SJSU pair that finished Thursday’s doubleheader with a 2-0 record.
Next, freshman Meredith Scott and sophomore Isabelle Sistek gave the Spartans a 2-0 lead after defeating the Hornets pair of junior Hailey Plugge and senior Caty Cordano in straight sets 21-17, 21-19.
Freshman Nayeli Tia and sophomore Tessa Rodgers clinched the dual for SJSU after beating Sac State’s pair of freshman Greta Davis and junior Tiyanane Kamba-Griffin in straight sets.
Spartans triumphed 4-1 with junior Jaida Ward and senior Cheyenne Rice defeating Hornets’ duo of junior Kalani Hayes and Bridgette Smith in three sets 21-17, 17-21, 15-12.
“Players were showing things that I had seen in flashes and they showed it constantly today,” said associate head coach Gary Hodge.
SJSU beach volleyball will head to Corpus Christi, Texas next weekend for the Southland conference championships.