WAIKIKI, Hawaii — (RV) Saint Mary's Beach Volleyball began the 2022 beach season in Waikiki at the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Beach Classic, hosted by the University of Hawaii. The Gaels knew they would be going up against some of the best teams in the country, and despite hanging tough against the cream of the crop, the Gaels ultimately dropped both matches on the day to No. 10 Hawaii and No. 2 UCLA.
 
Match 1: No. 10 Hawaii 5, (RV) Saint Mary's 0
 
In the first matchup of the season, Saint Mary's hung around with the hosts of the weekend in Hawaii, but ultimately fell in all five matches. The Gaels debuted their new pairings, with Jennifer "Boo" Laird joining Jasmin Suarez on the top pair. They were unable to come away with a win against Hawaii's top line, but it was the Gaels third pair that nearly was able to take down the Rainbow Wahines.
 
Chandler Cowell and Selbie Christensen locked up in the threes with Kylin Loker and Riley Wagoner of Hawaii, and after Cowell and Christensen dropped a narrow decision in the first game (20-22), they rebounded with a strong 21-13 win over Hawaii's third pair. It came down to the decisive third set, where both pairs kept the score close, but Hawaii scored the last few points to secure a 15-12 game win and a 2-1 match win, securing the sweep of the Gaels.
 
(4) Sarah Penner/Ilihia Huddleston (UH) def. Aeriel Sundt/Trinity Durfee (SMC) 21-15, 21-19
(2) Jaime Santer/Megan Widener (UH) def. Makenna Joyce/Karmin Brown (SMC) 21-12, 21-19
(5) Anna Maidment/Sofia Russo (UH) def. Megan Chandler/Kristen Erland (SMC) 21-10, 21-12
(1) Brooke Van Sickle/Kaylee Glagau (UH) def. Jasmin Suarez/Jennifer "Boo" Laird (SMC) 21-12, 21-12
(3) Kylin Loker/Riley Wagoner (UH) def. Chandler Cowell/Selbie Christensen (SMC) 20-22, 21-13, 15-12
 
Match 2: No. 2 UCLA 5, (RV) Saint Mary's 0
 
For the most part, Saint Mary's proved they can hang with second-ranked UCLA in their second match of the day, despite not claiming a game. Once again, the duo of Cowell and Christensen was delivering the Gaels best chance to get on the board, as they dropped the opening game of the twos by a final of 21-19. The top-pair of Suarez and Laird scored 14 and 17 points in their narrow defeats, while Laura Studebaker and Allie Cataldo made their collegiate debuts and hung up 16 and 12 points as the Gaels fifth pair.
 
(4) Natalie Myszkowski/Sophie Moore (UCLA) def. Aeriel Sundt/Trinity Durfee (SMC) 21-14, 21-8
(2) Abby Van Winkle/Rileigh Powers (UCLA) def. Chandler Cowell/Selbie Christensen (SMC) 21-19, 21-11
(5) Jessie Smith/Tessa Van Winkle (UCLA) def. Laura Studebaker/Allie Cataldo (SMC) 21-16, 21-12
(3) Devon Newberry/Jadin Whitmarsh (UCLA) def. Makenna Joyce/Karmin Brown (SMC) 21-15, 21-10
(1) Lexy Denaburg/Lea Munkhouse (UCLA) def. Jasmin Suarez/Jennifer "Boo" Laird (SMC) 21-14, 21-17
 
UP NEXT
Saint Mary's will get another chance to play tomorrow, first at 12:00 pm PT as they take on No. 7 Stanford. Their result in the first match on Saturday will determine which semifinal they take part in, as the semis of the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Beach Classic start at 2:00 pm PT. The championship match is slated for 6:00 pm PT if the Gaels win their semifinal match.
 
#GaelsRise