By: Marilyn Anye (@_marilynbride) – Spear Reporter – SJSU freshman Rio Thomas (#18) hits the ball over a Cabrillo defender during San Jose State’s 5–0 exhibition win Saturday at Spartan Beach in San Jose. (Photo by Marilyn Anye – Spear photographer)
San Jose State beach volleyball (6-7, 0-0 MW) returned to Spartan Beach for its annual Alumni Day on Saturday, sweeping Cabrillo College (15-7, 10-4 CAC) 5-0 in an exhibition duel.
The Spartans displayed strong chemistry across all pairs, with Court 3 producing some of the most notable performances of the exhibition, including a hard-earned win from the pairing of senior Randi Reeves and freshman Rio Thomas.
SJSU secured two dominant straight-set victories on the court while also working out its closest match of the day.
Sophomore Sophia Torres and senior Kylee Moore set the tone early with a commanding 21-8, 21-13 win, taking over both sets and limiting the chance for the Seahawks to build momentum.
Senior Grace Baker and graduate student Mia Scheepens followed with another strong performance, defeating their opponents 21-13, 21-10.
Reeves and Thomas delivered the most competitive match of the court, pushing through tight rallies and multiple late-set ties to secure a 23-21, 21-19 victory.
The Spartans’ ability to adapt to the Seahawks’ style of play stood out to SJSU head coach Gary Hodge throughout the exhibition.
“Junior colleges tend to play a smaller, choppier precision game, while at our level it’s more of a power game,” Hodge said. “We had to adjust our defensive and offensive structure, and our players did a great job reading the game and communicating those adjustments.”
The first set was tied at 20-20 before the Spartans came in and claimed the set.
Reeves emphasized the importance of staying unpredictable offensively and communicating through the tight moments.
“We talked about doing a lot of different things and creating variability on our side so they didn’t know what we were doing,” Reeves said. “Continuing to switch it up and communicate with each other really helped us.”
Thomas added that reconnecting between points helped the pair reset and stay focused throughout the close match, crediting their persistence as playing a key role in the outcome.
“We didn’t give up at all,” Thomas said. “We kept fighting.”
Reeves highlighted that staying strong in the passes helped the pair stay composed during tight sets.
“If we can pass the ball first, we can do whatever we want after that,” Reeves said. “It’s having confidence in that first pass.”
SJSU’s freshman Rio Thomas (#18) and senior Randi Reeves (#20) celebrate a point during San Jose State’s 5–0 exhibition sweep of Cabrillo College Saturday at Spartan Beach in San Jose, Calif. (Photo by Marilyn Anye – Spear photographer)
Hodge added that Reeves and Thomas also showed strong poise despite the close game.
“That’s a senior and a freshman learning how to get on the same wavelength,” Hodge said. “I was really impressed with Rio. Playing on the ones as a freshman is a lot, and she’s navigating some deep waters really well.”
He also pointed out that communication is a key factor in beach volleyball.
“Communication and chemistry are gigantic,” Hodge said. “When you’re under pressure and the scoreboard isn’t going your way, your ability to stay locked into the game and each other decides a lot of matches.”
The Spartans will face Pacific at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Spartan Beach in San Jose, Calif.
