The No. 1-ranked USC beach volleyball team (19-0) went 5-0 to sweep Saint Mary’s College (12-4) on Del Monte Beach in the Monterey Invitational II on Sunday, April 2. The Women of Troy won their 49th straight dual to remain undefeated on the season.
Playing a three-round dual, the bottom of the lineup took the sand first. USC fired the first shot and took a 1-0 lead in the dual with a 21-15, 21-16 win at court five where sophomore Katrina Kernochan and freshman Lainy Thomas defeated Dominique Dodd and Madi Wilkerson. On four, juniors Jenna Belton and Jo Kremer knocked off Alexsa Parker and Sienna Young, 21-18, 21-12, for a 2-0 lead.
Junior Terese Cannon and senior Nicolette Martin secured the dual win for the Trojans on a 21-17, 21-11 win over Emily Bible and Sarah Chase at court two. USC pushed for a 4-0 lead on a 23-21, 21-17 win by freshman Joy Dennis and senior Allie Wheeler. The duo defeated Mary Hernandez and Alexis Salmons at court three.
The final point came from the top court where seniors Kelly Claes and Sara Hughes battled for a 21-19, 21-13 win over Lindsey Knudsen and Payton Rund. The win was the 25th of the season for the tandem and extended their incredible winning streak to 98 consecutive match wins.
Up next, the Trojans take on San Jose State (5-5) at noon PT to conclude the Monterey Invitational II. USC returns home to host Washington and Arizona State for duals at Merle Norman Stadium on Friday, April 7.
For more information on the two-time national champion USC beach volleyball team and a complete schedule, please visit USCTrojans.com and follow @USCBeach on Facebook, Twitter, Periscope, Instagram, and Snapchat.
No. 1 USC def. Saint Mary’s College, 5-0
Monterey Invitational II
Del Monte Beach | Monterey, Calif.
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Records: USC (19-0), Saint Mary’s College (12-4)
1. Kelly Claes/Sara Hughes (USC) def. Lindsey Knudsen/Payton Rund (SMC); 21-19, 21-13
2. Terese Cannon/Nicolette Martin (USC) def. Emily Bible/Sarah Chase (SMC); 21-17, 21-11
3. Joy Dennis/Allie Wheeler (USC) def. Mary Hernandez/Alexis Salmons (SMC); 23-21, 21-17
4. Jenna Belton/Jo Kremer (USC) def. Alexsa Parker/Sienna Young (SMC); 21-18, 21-12
5. Katrina Kernochan/Lainy Thomas (USC) def. Dominique Dodd/Madi Wilkerson (SMC); 21-15, 21-16
Order of finish: 5, 4, 2*, 3, 1
News courtesy of USC Athletics.
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