BERKELEY – The No. 8 California beach volleyball team didn't drop a set on the opening day of the 2024 season, picking up 5-0 wins over American River and San Jose State at the Clark Kerr Sand Courts.

"It was really exciting being able to open at home this year in front of our fans and supporters," Cal head coach Meagan Owusu said. "It was fun to see a bunch of new players in the lineup today. It's a new squad, so we're just growing and getting to know the strengths that this specific group has and rolling with that."

No. 8 Cal 5, American River 0
The Golden Bears (2-0) breezed through what was a windy first match of the day, holding the Beavers (0-2) to single digits in eight out of 10 sets.

In a flawless Cal debut, graduate student Lara Boos paired with senior Brooke Buchner to win 21-6, 21-2 on court three. Sophomore Portia Sherman saw her first official action on her home court, taking a 21-14, 21-9 victory alongside junior Ella Dreibholz.

1 Emma Donley and Alex Young (CAL) def. Kylie Matthews and Addison DeMarse (ARC) 21-4, 21-7
2 Marilu Pally and Gia Fisher (CAL) def. Reese Ampi and Morgan Castaneda (ARC) 21-4, 21-7
3 Lara Boos and Brooke Buchner (CAL) def. Cady Hatch and Mia Santos (ARC) 21-6, 21-2
4 Portia Sherman and Ella Dreibholz (CAL) def. Kaeli Savorn and Ella Harm (ARC) 21-14, 21-9
5 Finley Rollins and Audrey Liddle (CAL) def. Marley Harrison and Lacey Frailey (ARC) 21-5, 21-12

No. 8 Cal 5, San Jose State 0
Cal found itself in a much more competitive match several hours later, but the result was the same as each Bear pair held off the Spartans (1-1) for another clean sweep.

Sophomore duo Gia Fisher and Marilu Pally jumped out to a 15-6 lead en route to a convincing 21-11 opening-set victory. Pally set the tone with a couple blocks early in set two and the teams traded blows late on, but the Bears were able to fend the opposition off for a 21-18 win on court two.

Sherman and Dreibholz simultaneously earned their second straight win on court four. After initially taking a 9-5 advantage, SJSU hung in it to make it 16-12. Sherman dinked an ace off the net and Dreibholz had a kill just barely crawl over to cap the set's decisive run and set up game point at 20-13. The Bears put it away two points later. In set two, they pulled away midway through the set once again, taking an 18-12 win.

Junior Alexandria Young-Gomez and freshman Emma Donley pulled out the closest set of the day on court one, holding off a Spartan comeback to take the first set 21-19 and comfortably staying ahead to win set two 21-17.

To close out the day, Boos and Buchner looked sharp from the outset in a 21-10, 21-17 win on court three. Junior Ella Sears and freshman Kendall Peters pulled away midway through the opening set on court five and never looked back, earning a 21-15, 21-14 sweep.

"I think this season we're going to be able to utilize all of our depth, which we haven't necessarily been able to do in the past," Owusu said. "Just being able to see all of our athletes compete against another team is the joy. We're just focused on each other."

1 Emma Donley and Alex Young (CAL) def. Jaida Ward and Jada Hall (SJSU) 21-19, 21-17
2 Marilu Pally and Gia Fisher (CAL) def. Teila Allen and Cheyenne Rice (SJSU) 21-11, 21-18
3 Lara Boos and Brooke Buchner (CAL) def. Sienna Brewster and Tessa Rogers (SJSU) 21-10, 21-17
4 Portia Sherman and Ella Dreibholz (CAL) def. Shirley Morrison and Anna Salmon (SJSU) 21-14, 21-12
5 Ella Sears and Kendall Peters (CAL) def. Allie Dale and Meredith Scott (SJSU) 21-15, 21-14

UP NEXT
The Bears will be back it Saturday morning in a 9 a.m. PT matchup with Saint Mary's before closing out the first weekend of the season against Santa Clara at 3 p.m.

STAY POSTED
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