USC Beach Volleyball Dominates at Home in Battle for LA
In a thrilling home debut for the season, No. 4 USC Beach Volleyball showcased their prowess at the Battle for LA, sweeping both CSUN and Pepperdine with commanding 5-0 victories. The Women of Troy, now holding a 3-0 record against the Matadors and a 22-13 edge over the Waves, made a statement on the sands of Los Angeles.
Henson and Wood: A Dynamic Duo
Leading the charge for USC were Zoey Henson and Sarah Wood, who took the court as the No. 1 pair. Despite dropping their first set to CSUN's Hannah Heflin and Maleya Miles 18-21, the duo rebounded with authority, securing the next two sets 21-16 and 15-5. They carried that momentum into their match against Pepperdine, where they swept with scores of 21-16 and 22-20, improving their season record to an impressive 8-0.
Pater and Coakley: Consistent and Commanding
Ashley Pater and Kennedy Coakley, playing as USC's No. 2 pair, delivered solid performances, winning both of their matches in straight sets. They started strong against the Matadors, dominating with a 21-10, 21-10 victory, and followed up with a 21-15, 21-17 win over the Waves. This duo now stands at 4-4 for the season, boasting a remarkable 32-8 all-time record.
Embry and Stephens: A New Force
The No. 3 pair, Alana Embry and Quincy Stephens, made their debut together with flair. They cruised past CSUN with scores of 21-9 and 21-14 and continued their winning ways against Pepperdine, posting a 21-13, 21-15 victory. Embry and Stephens are off to a perfect 2-0 start.
Truslow and Keefe: Resilient and Ready
At the No. 4 spot, Kaileigh Truslow and Kerry Keefe showed grit and determination. They began with a 21-16, 21-12 win over the Matadors, showcasing strong defensive play. Facing the Waves, they dropped a tightly contested first set 24-26 but bounced back with 21-13 and 15-6 wins, marking their record at 2-0.
Zaengle and Kok: The Cardiac Kids
Rounding out the lineup, Kyra Zaengle and Calinda Kok continued their unbeaten streak. They dismantled CSUN's Phoebe Constable and Ava Rogers 21-13, 21-11 and edged out Pepperdine's Emma Bubelis and Deanie Woodruff in a thrilling 21-9, 24-22 match. Their season record now stands at 7-0.
Match Highlights
Against CSUN, USC's pairs dominated across the board, with the order of finish highlighting the depth and talent of the squad. The Trojans carried that momentum into their match against Pepperdine, where they again swept the competition, leaving no doubt about their strength and cohesion.
Looking Ahead
With these decisive victories, USC Beach Volleyball has set a high bar for the rest of the season. Fans can look forward to more exciting action as the Women of Troy continue to build on their impressive start.