Sand Volleyball: Waves Dominate on Opening Day of the College of Charleston Sand Volleyball Classic
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – The Pepperdine women’s sand volleyball team improved to 3-0 on the season after a pair of sweeps at the College of Charleston Sand Volleyball Classic. The Waves opened the day with a 5-0 win over Alabama-Birmingham, before shutting out North Florida.
Pepperdine was dominant, not dropping a single set during the two duals.
In the first dual of the day versus UAB, Michaela Christiaansen (Tucson, Ariz./Ironwood Ridge HS) and Emily Cook (Huntington Beach, Calif./Murrieta Valley HS), playing No. 5 in the lineup, downed Michele Simmons and Becca Howard 21-11, 21-5. The duo tallied 11 aces in the effort.
The pair was just as commanding in their follow up match versus North Florida’s Kelsey Smith and Marija Pantovic, out-killing their opponents 22-7 en route to a 21-7, 21-10 victory.
In the No. 4 match, Victoria Adelhelm (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif./Santa Fe Christian HS) and Kellie Woolever (Long Beach, Calif./Woodrow Wilson HS) defeated Kate Morrell and Thais Soares 21-14, 21-15, before topping Nicole Baran and Paige Pridgeon 21-7, 21-13. Woolever picked up 20 digs in the two matches, while Adelhelm posted six blocks.
Behind Kelley Larsen’s (Jamul, Calif./Christian HS) 20 kills and four blocks, she and partner Stevi Robinson (Hermosa Beach, Calif./Mira Costa HS) earned a 21-8, 21-15 triumph versus the Blazers’ Heather Thomas and Kirsten Gallagher.
Robinson paced the offense with 13 kills in the second match against Britt Claessens and Allison Shirley, as the Wave tandem won 21-12, 21-15.
Kim Hill (Portland, Ore./Portland Christian HS) and Lilla Frederick (Huntington Beach, Calif./Cornelia Connelly HS) opened the day with a 21-18, 21-14 victory over Kiriana Hirini and Rachel Fairbanks of UAB, followed by a 21-9, 21-18 win versus the Osprey’s Carolyn Jenkins and Julie Trembley. Hill totaled 30 kills on the day, while Frederick added 23 kills and 10 digs.
In the top match, Summer Ross (Carlsbad, Calif./Carlsbad Seaside Academy) and Caitlin Racich (Santa Barbara, Calif./Dos Pueblos HS) cruised through a pair of straight-set victories. Ross was unstoppable in match one against UAB’s Alison Woods and Sam Serley, hitting .842 (17-1-19) to lift the Waves to a 21-10, 21-14 win.
In the second match of the day, Racich registered a .733 (12-1-15) clip against Emily Strack and Dagnija Medina of North Florida. Racich and Ross would go on to win 21-13, 21-13.
Pepperdine continues play at the College of Charleston Sand Volleyball Classic tomorrow, March 24, when they take on the hosting Cougars. The Waves wrap action on Sunday, March 25, with a dual versus Mercer.
Pepperdine 5, UAB 0
1. Summer Ross/Caitlin Racich (PEP) def. Alison Woods/Sam Serley (UAB) 21-10, 21-14
2. Kim Hill/Lilla Frederick (PEP) def. Kiriana Hirini/Rachel Fairbanks (UAB) 21-18, 21-14
3. Kelley Larsen/Stevi Robinson (PEP) def. Heather Thomas/Kirsten Gallagher (UAB) 21-8, 21-15
4. Victoria Adelhelm/Kellie Woolever (PEP) def. Kate Morrell/Thais Soares (UAB) 21-14, 21-15
5. Michaela Christiaansen/Emily Cook (PEP) def. Michele Simmons/Becca Howard (UAB) 21-11, 21-5
Pepperdine 5, North Florida 0
1. Summer Ross/Caitlin Racich (PEP) def. Emily Strack/Dagnija Medina (NF) 21-13, 21-13
2. Kim Hill/Lilla Frederick (PEP) def. Carolyn Jenkins/Julie Trembley (NF) 21-9, 21-18
3. Kelley Larsen/Stevi Robinson (PEP) def. Britt Claessens/Allison Shirley (NF) 21-12, 21-15
4. Victoria Adelhelm/Kellie Woolever (PEP) def. Nicole Baran/Paige Pridgeon (NF) 21-7, 21-13
5. Michaela Christiaansen/Emily Cook (PEP) def. Kelsey Smith/Marija Pantovic (NF) 21-7, 21-10
