February 10, 2024
Warriors Win Season Opener Against CSULA
Hannah Matt got her first win as head coach of the Westcliff women's beach volleyball team as the Warriors took down CSULA 3-2.
It went down to the wire where the last doubles pair from each team were fighting to get the winning point.
The match itself was a rollercoaster of emotions as each side took a set which led us to an eventual third set tie-break, first to 15 would win.
Doubles pair No. 1 Sabrina Galassi and Marcela Rodriguez fought hard at every point and were rewarded with a slight victory in the third 15-13.
A good start for the defending Cal Pac champs who have their eyes set on winning it all which includes nationals.
"Overall I'm pleased with today's performance," Matt said. "Even though the scores don't always reflect it, it was a total team effort today. CSULA exposed some areas we need to work on and we will take this information into practice next week for more fine-tuning."
Warriors doubles No. 2 Brook Scheidle and Serena Comer won in three sets with the last one going 15-8.
Doubles No. 5 Ava Himstreet and Sam Swanson got the third win in straight sets 21-8, 21-17.
Matt took lots of notes of the day and looks forward to working out the kinks that the team has shown early on.
"Serving and serve receive," Matt said. "When we kept our serves in and passed well we were extremely effective, so we will be working on our consistency in this area moving forward."
It was a memorable milestone for the first-time head coach in what looks like a promising dual between the team and staff.
"I thanked them for giving me my first win as a head coach," Matt said. "I also told them how happy I was to see them come together as a team and have everyone standing to the side of the court cheering on Mars and Sabrina to win the dual.
"Having that type of energy off the court is such an advantage and a testament to the awesome team culture these girls have built."
Scores:
DOUBLES #1 Westcliff Sabrina Galassi and Marcela Rodriguez won 17-21, 21-19, 15-13
DOUBLES #2 Westcliff Serena Comer and Brooke Scheidle won 17-21, 27-25, 15-8
DOUBLES #3 Westcliff Faith Webb and Izzy Duchaine lost 25-27, 18-21
DOUBLES #4 Westcliff Chloe Johnson and Diamonique Brogan lost 14-21, 18-21
DOUBLES #5 Westcliff Ava Himstreet and Samantha Swanson won 21-8, 21-17