Cal Poly Beach Volleyball posted a 2-2 record in the Battle for LA Tournament co-hosted by UCLA and USC on Friday, March 1st and Saturday, March 2nd.
After a successful season opener in Louisiana last weekend, the Mustangs rose to No. 18 in the AVCA Coaches Poll and were looking to maintain that momentum.
Cal Poly (6-2) started the tournament with a tough battle against No. 1 UCLA (8-3) but ultimately fell short. Shortly after, the Mustangs completed a comeback and defeated No. 8 Cal (6-2).
The second day ended similarly, with the University of California defeating No. 14 Grand Canyon University (4-4) but unable to get past No. 3 USC (8-2).
Friday vs. UCLA
The Mustangs stepped onto UCLA's sand court looking for a fight, but UCLA was there to give them a fight.
Each game against the No. 1 team in the country was full of action and power. However, only one pair emerged victorious: graduate transfer Lindsey Sparks and freshman Quinn Perry.
Still, Cal Poly's determination and strength as a team shined through, as the three games went to three sets, but they were unable to overcome the top-ranked teams, losing 4-1.
Friday vs. California
The Mustangs bounced back to defeat their next challenger, No. 8 Cal Berkeley.
Senior Piper Ness and freshman Logan Walter took fourth place, while junior Piper Furch and freshman Erin Inskeep took second, with both pairs getting off to a good start with wins over the Golden Bears.
Cal Poly's 2-0 lead didn't last long as Cal Poly caught up with two wins. Everything depended on the final match.
Sparks and Perry fought evenly with Cal, both winning sets and competing for a third set. Perry gave it his all, securing the game point with a kill and sealing a 3-2 victory over the Golden Bears.
Saturday vs. USC
Cal Poly opened the second day of the tournament with another tough battle against the No. 3 ranked USC Trojans.
Felch and Inskeep put the Mustangs up 1-0 in straight sets after the match, but USC quickly caught up and won three games on their own.
The No. 5 pair of junior Abby Reynard and junior Madison Nichols secured one more win for Cal Poly, making the match total 3-2.
Saturday vs. GCU
The Mustangs bounced back for their final matchup of the tournament, defeating No. 14 Grand Canyon University 4-1.
The No. 2 pair of Felch and Inskeep continued the momentum from their last match, giving Cal Poly an early 1-0 lead.
Shortly after, No. 4 Ness and Walter took the win.
Redshirt No. 1 Ella Connor and sophomore Izzy Martinez, as well as No. 3 Perry and Sparks, easily won the final two in straight sets.
Although the Mustangs lost two games in the Battle for LA, they were able to defeat the top two teams and hope to continue that momentum next weekend.
The University of California continues its busy schedule by traveling to Long Beach to take on Santa Clara University on Saturday, March 9th at 9 a.m. and Florida International University at 12 p.m. They will then face Stetson University at 9 a.m. and the University of Southern Mississippi at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 10th.
