MALIBU, Calif. – UTEP Beach Volleyball (8-4, 2-0 Conference USA) delivered a dominant performance on Friday afternoon, defeating both Sacramento State and Morehead State with identical 4-1 victories at the Pepperdine Beach Courts during the Malibu Invite.
Dual 1: UTEP 4, SAC 1
The Miners (8-4) started the day with a commanding win over Sacramento State (4-6). Perry and Schubert put the Miners on the board first after winning in straight sets on court 4. Hill and Uskokovic followed with a straight-set win as well, then Ovalle and Popovic clinched the match on court 3. Sacramento State picked up a point on court 1, but Call and Rich wrapped up the dual on court 5 with a three-set victory.
Results (order of finish: 4,2,3*,1,5)
1. Caitlin Volkmann/Bridgette Smith (SAC) def. Krista Paegle/Paulina Acuna (UTEP) 21-15, 21-14
2. Madison Hill/Ema Uskokovic (UTEP) def. Ashlynn Archer/Ellie Tisko (SAC) 22-20, 21-17
3. Marian Ovalle/Mila Popovic (UTEP) def. Karlie Spohn/Greta Davis (SAC) 21-12, 21-14
4. Emma Schubert/Lauren Perry (UTEP) def. Victoria Marthaler/Mia Guevara (SAC) 21-10, 21-12
5. Katie Call/Reese Rich (UTEP) def. Kate Doorn/Savannah Risley (SAC) 15-21, 21-19, 15-12
Dual 2: UTEP 4, MOR 1
Continuing their momentum into the afternoon, UTEP took down Morehead State (6-4) with another impressive 4-1 result. Perry and Schubert once again put the Miners on the board first with a win on court 4. Morehead State knotted the dual with a three-set win on court 2, but Ovalle and Popovic gave UTEP a 2-1 advantage with a win on court 3. Call and Rich clinched the match on court 5 with another three-set win, and Paegle and Acuna finished out the dual with a straight-set victory on court 1.
Results (order of finish: 4,2,3,5*,1)
1. Krista Paegle/Paulina Acuna (UTEP) def. Irene Wogenstahl/Bella Marita (MOR) 21-6, 21-14
2. M.E. Hargan/Sydney Wyman (MOR) def. Madison Hill/Ema Uskokovic (UTEP) 13-21, 21-19, 15-8
3. Marian Ovalle/Mila Popovic (UTEP) def. Sarah Heath/Peighton Isley (MOR) 21-14, 21-13
4. Emma Schubert/Lauren Perry (UTEP) def. Brenna Bommer/Shea Hefner (MOR) 21-14, 21-12
5. Katie Call/Reese Rich (UTEP) def. Hollan Everett/Courtney Fitzgerald (MOR) 21-7, 17-21, 15-13
"It was a beautiful, cold, and wet day of beach volleyball. I am proud of our team as they not only fought well against our opponents but also battled the elements all day. We will warm up and get after it again tomorrow," Foo said.
Up Next
The Miners continue action at the Malibu Invite on Saturday, facing off against host Pepperdine and CSUN.
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