No. 3 USC Beach Volleyball Completes 4-0 Weekend in Battle for Los Angeles - USC Athletics (2024)

The Trojans claimed a 3-2 win over No. 18 Cal Poly and recorded a 5-0 sweep over No. 14 Grand Canyon

Drake Lee

Women's Beach Volleyball | March 02, 2024

LOS ANGELES– The third-ranked USC beach volleyball team (8-2) took down No. 18 Cal Poly (5-2) by a 3-2 count and then picked up a 5-0 sweep of No. 14 Grand Canyon (4-3) on the second day of the Battle for Los Angeles at Merle Norman Stadium on Saturday, March 2.

The Women of Troy improved to 87-11 (.888) all-time at Merle Norman Stadium and extended their home win streak to a program record 22-consecutive wins dating to the end of the 2022 season. In 5-0 matches, the Trojans improve to 142-2 all-time.

The Mustangs won the first point of the dual, but USC's pair of freshmanMadison Goellnerand sophom*oreMadison Whiteevened the dual with a 23-25, 21-13, 15-7 win over Piper Naess and Logan Walter from the No. 4 spot. Senior All-AmericansMegan KraftandDelaynie Maplewent 21-11, 21-13 over Ella Connor and Izzy Martinez at the top court to give USC a 2-1 lead before graduatesMaddi KrizandGrace Seitstook down Quinn Perry and Lindsey Sparks, 19-21, 21-16, 15-8, to clinch the dual over Cal Poly.

Against the Lopes, twin graduatesAudrey NourseandNicole Noursegot a 21-18, 21-12 win over Karynn Garrow and Noelle Weintraub to open scoring for the Trojans. It was the 99th-career win for Audrey. Goellner teamed with sophom*oreGabby Walkerin the second dual and got a 21-16, 21-11 win over Katie Keefe and Adriana Serrano Ferro to give USC a 2-0 lead. At the top court, Kraft and Maple sealed the win with a dominant 21-8, 21-14 win over Sophia Hladyniuk and Krista Rowan. It was the duo's 37th win together as they move into 12th all-time in program history. Kriz and White's win at the No. 3 position put USC on top, 4-0. The sweep went into the books when graduateAinsley Radelland sophom*oreMabyn Thomasgot a 21-15, 15-21, 15-12 win over Jessica Drake and Mackenzie Harris at the No. 5 spot.

USC heads to the desert for the Pac-12 South Invitational next weekend (March 9-10), hosted by Arizona State at the new Sun Devil Beach Volleyball Facility. The Trojans will take on Utah (11 a.m. PT) and Washington (7 p.m.) on Saturday (March 9) on Pac-12 Washington. USC then takes on Arizona (12 p.m.) and Oregon (2 p.m.) on Sunday (March 10) in duals to be shown on Pac-12 Arizona.

For more information on the USC beach volleyball team, a complete schedule, and results, please visit USCTrojans.com/beach. Fans of the Women of Troy can follow the team on Instagram and on X @USCBeach.

No. 3 USC def. No. 18 Cal Poly, 3-2
Battle For Los Angeles
Merle Norman Stadium·Los Angeles, Calif.
Saturday, March 2, 2024
RECORDS:USC (7-2), Cal Poly (5-2)
1. Megan KRAFT/Delaynie MAPLE (USC) def. Ella CONNOR/Izzy MARTINEZ (CP); 21-11, 21-13
2. Piper FERCH/Erin INSKEEP (CP) def. Audrey NOURSE/Nicole NOURSE (USC); 21-17, 21-14
3. Maddi KRIZ/Grace SEITS (USC) def. Quinn PERRY/Lindsey SPARKS (CP); 19-21, 21-16, 15-8
4. Madison GOELLNER/Madison WHITE (USC) def. Piper NAESS/Logan WALTER (CP); 23-25, 21-13, 15-7
5. Madison NICHOLS/Abbey REINARD (CP) def. Ainsley RADELL/Mabyn THOMAS (USC); 21-19, 15-21, 15-11
Exh. Ashley PATER/Molly PHILLIPS (USC) def. Sydney TERRELL/Emma ZUFFELATO (CP); 22-20, 21-19
Order of finish: 2, 4, 1, 3*, 5

No. 3 USC def. No. 14 Grand Canyon, 5-0
Battle For Los Angeles
Merle Norman Stadium·Los Angeles, Calif.
Saturday, March 2, 2024
RECORDS:USC (8-2), Grand Canyon (4-3)
1. Megan KRAFT/Delaynie MAPLE (USC) def. Sophia HLADYNIUK/Krista ROWAN (GCU); 21-8, 21-14
2. Audrey NOURSE/Nicole NOURSE (USC) def. Karynn GARROW/Noelle WEINTRAUB (GCU); 21-18, 21-12
3. Maddi KRIZ/Madison WHITE (USC) def. Madi BOGLE/Sarah DICKSON (GCU); 21-16, 21-16
4. Madison GOELLNER/Gabby WALKER (USC) def. Katie KEEFE/Adriana SERRANO FERRO (GCU); 21-16, 21-11
5. Ainsley RADELL/Mabyn THOMAS (USC) def. Jessica DRAKE/Mackenzie HARRIS (GCU); 21-15, 15-21, 15-12
Exh. Grace HONG/Delaney KARL (USC) def. Elly COLLINS/Hailey HUTCHINGS (GCU); 21-19, 21-15
Order of finish: 2, 4, 1*, 3, 5