Sand Volleyball: Pepperdine Wins First-Ever Sand Volleyball Dual Match
LONG BEACH, Calif. – The Pepperdine women’s sand volleyball team was triumphant in its first-ever dual in the program’s history, defeating Long Beach State 3-2. Seniors Lilla Frederick and Kim Hill earned the go-ahead win to give the Waves the third and deciding point.
“This was our first team or dual event today, so I’m very happy we came away with the win,” said head coach Nina Matthies following the match. “We’ve been emphasizing the “team” aspect of collegiate sand volleyball and that really came into play today.”
The afternoon got started on the right foot, as both the No. 4 and No. 5 teams recorded the win to put Pepperdine out front.
“The first two pairs out there really took charge,” boast Matthies of her No. 4 and No. 5 teams.
Kelley Larsen (Jamul, Calif./Christian HS) and Stevi Robinson (Hermosa Beach, Calif./Mira Costa HS) were dominant in the No. 4 match versus Libby Fontanilla and Alma Serna, winning 21-10, 21-10. Robinson picked up a match-best seven digs and five aces, while Larsen was unstoppable at the net, hitting for a .769 (11-1-13) attack percentage.
Michaela Christiaansen (Tucson, Ariz./Ironwood Ridge HS) tallied 16 kills and 12 digs , while Emily Cook (Huntington, Calif./Murrieta Valley HS) added three blocks and pair of aces in the pair’s 21-16, 21-13 victory over Tyler Jackson and Janisa Johnson to put the Waves up 2-0.
Lauren Minkel and Jocelyn Neely put the 49ers on the board with a come-from-behind win versus Victoria Adelhelm (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif./Santa Fe Christian HS) and Kellie Woolever (Long Beach, Calif./Woodrow Wilson HS). Adelhelm and Woolever took the first frame 21-16, but Minkel and Neely answered with a 21-15 victory in set two. The LBSU pair then edged the Waves 15-13 in the third to put the score at 2-1 as the top teams took to the sand.
Hill (Portland, Ore./Portland Christian HS) and Frederick (Huntington Beach, Calif./Cornelia Connelly HS) held off Chelsea Cabrajac and Haleigh Hampton 25-23 in the opening stanza before clinching the win 21-16 in the second set. The pair combined for a highly efficient .647 (28-6-34) clip.
Up 3-1, Pepperdine was now out of reach and had clinched their first-ever dual of the 2012 sand volleyball season.
Long Beach State (1-1) was able to come up with the “W” in the final match to finish, as Tara Roenicke and Caitlin Ledoux defeated Caitlin Racich (Santa Barbara, Calif./Dos Pueblos HS) and Summer Ross (Carlsbad, Calif./Carlsbad Seaside Academy), 19-21, 21-17, 15-6.
The Waves continues this week with four duals at the College of Charleston Sand Classic on March 23-25. Pepperdine faces North Florida and Alabama-Birmingham on Friday, the College of Charleston on Saturday, and finally Mercer on Sunday.
Pepperdine 3, Long Beach State 2
1. Caitlin Ledoux/Tara Roenicke (LBSU) def. Caitlin Racich/Summer Ross (PEP) 19-21, 21-17, 15-6
2. Lilla Frederick/Kim Hill (PEP) def. Chelsea Cabrajac/Haleigh Hampton (LBSU) 25-23, 21-16
3. Lauren Minkel/Jocelyn Neely (LBSU) def. Victoria Adelhelm/Kellie Woolever (PEP) 16-21, 21-15, 15-13
4. Kelley Larsen/Stevi Robinson (PEP) def. Libby Fontanilla/Alma Serna (LBSU) 21-10, 21-10
5. Michaela Christiaansen/Emily Cook (PEP) def. Tyler Jackson/Janisa Johnson (LBSU) 21-16, 21-13
Order of finish: 4, 5, 3, 2, 1
