Women's Beach Volleyball 4/10/2017 12:00:00 AM

LMU Battles #1 USC Tough, Tops #15 Arizona State

April 10, 2017

Playing at the 2017 USAV Beach Collegiate Challenge on Saturday, LMU (9-11) went 1-2 against #1 USC, #15 Saint Mary's, and #15 Arizona State. The Lions defeated Arizona State, but dropped matches to the Trojans and Gaels.

The Lions played top-ranked USC tough on Saturday, forcing three sets on three different courts, including posting a victory at the #5 spot when Kristen Castellanos/Erin Williams defeated Katrina Kernochan/Lainy Thomas, 23-25, 21-14, 15-12.

Castellanos/Williams finished Saturday's play with a 3-0 record after also defeating pairs from Saint Mary's and Arizona State.

LMU will now host Cal Poly and Long Beach State on Wednesday from Manhattan Beach. The Lions and Mustangs will meet at 1:30 p.m. before the match against Long Beach State at 3 p.m.

LMU enters this week ranked #16 in the DiG Magazine poll, while Long Beach State is #5 according to DiG and the AVCA. Cal Poly is receiving votes in the DiG Magazine poll.

LMU vs USC (Apr 08, 2017)
#1 USC 4, #20 LMU 1
Apr 08, 2017 at Manhattan Beach, Calif. (Manhattan Beach)

Doubles competition 1. Kelly Claes/Sara Hughes (USC) def. Sarah Sponcil/Savannah Slattery (LMU) 21-17, 21-13
2. Terese Cannon/Nicolette Martin (USC) def. Jessie Prichard/Sara Kovac (LMU) 21-14, 18-21, 15-12
3. Joy Dennis/Allie Wheeler (USC) def. Brittnay Estes/Kekai Whitford (LMU) 21-15, 15-21, 15-12
4. Jenna Belton/Jo Kremer (USC) def. Emma Doud/Veronica Nederend (LMU) 22-20, 21-14
5. Kristen Castellanos/Erin Williams (LMU) def. Katrina Kernochan/Lainy Thomas (USC) 23-25, 21-14, 15-12

Match Notes
LMU 8-10; National ranking #20
USC 23-0; National ranking #1

LMU vs Saint Mary's (Apr 08, 2017)
#15 Saint Mary's 3, #20 LMU 2
Apr 08, 2017 at Manhattan Beach, Calif. (Manhattan Beach)

Doubles competition
1. Payton Rund/Lindsey Knudsen (SMC) def. Sarah Sponcil/Savannah Slattery (LMU) 22-20, 14-21, 15-9
2. Emily Bible/Sarah Chase (SMC) def. Jessie Prichard/Sara Kovac (LMU) 21-17, 18-21, 15-8
3. Mary Hernandez/Alexis Salmons (SMC) def. Brittnay Estes/Kekai Whitford (LMU) 18-21, 21-19, 15-13
4. Emma Doud/Veronica Nederend (LMU) def. Alexsa Parker/Lindsey Calvin (SMC) 21-9, 21-17
5. Kristen Castellanos/Erin Williams (LMU) def. Madi Wilkerson/Sienna Young (SMC) 21-23, 21-14, 17-15

Match Notes
LMU 8-11; National ranking #20
Saint Mary's 16-5; National ranking #15

Arizona State vs LMU (Apr 08, 2017)
#20 LMU 4, #15 Arizona State 1
Apr 08, 2017 at Manhattan Beach, Calif. (Manhattan Beach)

Doubles competition
1. Savannah Slattery/Sarah Sponcil (LMU) def. Bianca Arellano/Whitney Follette (ASU) 21-17, 21-19
2. Ellyson Lundberg/Katelyn Carballo (ASU) def. Brittnay Estes/Kekai Whitford (LMU) 14-21, 21-17, 15-12
3. Jessie Prichard/Sara Kovac (LMU) def. Madison Berridge/Oluoma Okaro (ASU) 21-16, 21-23, 18-16
4. Emma Doud/Veronica Nederend (LMU) def. Natalie Braun/Bethany Wedepohl (ASU) 21-18, 21-18
5. Kristen Castellanos/Erin Williams (LMU) def. Katie Cross/Sage Patchell (ASU) 21-13, 21-9