LOS ANGELES - LMU Beach Volleyball proved on Thursday that they are right there when it comes to playing the top teams in the country. The Lions opened the day in a 2-2 match against top-ranked UCLA before the Bruins clinched the dual on the third set of the three pairs. The Lions followed up with another narrow 3-2 defeat to the second-ranked USC Trojans, winners of the last three National Championships.

No. 1 UCLA def. No. 9 LMU, 3-2
Merle Norman Stadium · Los Angeles, Calif.
Thursday, April 18, 2024
RECORDS: UCLA (29-4), LMU (22-12)
1. Maggie BOYD/Lexy DENABURG (UCLA) def. Valma PRIHTI/Michelle SHAFFER (LMU); 21-17, 21-18
2. Peri BRENNAN/Devon NEWBERRY (UCLA) def. Isabelle REFFEL/Alisha STEVENS (LMU); 21-14, 21-14
3. Kenzie BROWER/Jessie SMITH (UCLA) def. Anna PELLOIA/Jacinda RAMIREZ (LMU); 13-21, 21-13, 15-9
4. Cassie CHINN/Chloe HOOKER (LMU) def. Tessa VAN WINKLE/Jaden WHITMARSH (UCLA); 21-15, 19-21, 15-11
5. Madi FIRNETT/Abbey THORUP (LMU) def. Ensley ALDEN/Natalie MYSZKOWSKI (UCLA); 21-19, 13-21, 15-13
6. Alison STANFILL/Ellie DAVIS (LMU) def. Rileigh POWERS/Sophie MOORE (UCLA); 21-18, 24-22
Order of finish: 2, 4, 1, 5, 3*

No. 2 USC def. No. 9 Loyola Marymount, 3-2
Merle Norman Stadium · Los Angeles, Calif.
Thursday, April 18, 2024
RECORDS: USC (29-4), Loyola Marymount (22-13)
1. Megan KRAFT/Delaynie MAPLE (USC) def. Vilhelmiina PRIHTI/Michelle SHAFFER (LMU); 21-12, 21-19
2. Isabelle REFFEL/Alisha STEVENS (LMU) def. Maddi KRIZ/Madison WHITE (USC); 21-17, 21-19
3. Audrey NOURSE/Nicole NOURSE (USC) def. Cassie CHINN/Chloe HOOKER (LMU); 21-16, 21-19
4. Ashley PATER/Grace SEITS (USC) def. Anna PELLOIA/Jacinda RAMIREZ (LMU); 22-20, 21-15
5. Madi FIRNETT/Abbey THORUP (LMU) def. Madison GOELLNER/Gabby WALKER (USC); 21-18, 22-24, 16-14
6. Emily FITZNER/Molly PHILLIPS (USC) def. Liv JOHNSON/Alison STANFILL (LMU); 21-19, 21-19
Order of finish: 2, 4, 3, 1*, 5

The Lions have Saturday's final day remaining on the schedule to close out the regular season. The Lions will host CSUN and Arizona on campus at the LMU Beach Volleyball Courts with matches at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The team will recognize the senior classes as soon as the first match of the day concludes.

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