HONOLULU - Stanford beach volleyball concluded its time in Hawai'i Saturday, earning a second-place finish in the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Beach Classic.
Throughout the three-day tournament, the Cardinal only recorded losses to No. 1/1 UCLA, topping No. 9/10 Hawai'i twice, and both Stephen F. Austin and Saint Mary's once. At the conclusion of the tournament, fifth-year Charlie Ekstrom earned the tournament's best blocker award.
The Cardinal started its day with its second victory over No. 9/10 Hawai'i of the weekend to earn a spot in the championship match. Freshman Kelly Belardi and Ashley Vincent continued their unbeaten streak with a 21-16, 22-20 victory on court four, while fellow freshman pairing of Sophie Kubiak and Phoenix Clarke won their first match as a duo on court five, 18-21, 21-14, 15-10. Sophomore Taylor Wilson and freshman Line Andersson sealed the match with a come-from-behind victory on court three, 15-21, 21-18, 15-9.
Stanford ended its time in Hawai'i with a 4-1 loss to No. 1/1 UCLA. Belardi and Vincent were the lone Cardinal pair to score a point against the Bruins in the championship match, finishing their time in the Aloha State with an unblemished record (6-0) playing on court four. All four other Stanford pairs fell in straight sets to the Bruins.
The Cardinal returns to The Farm for its next competitions, welcoming Portland and Saint Mary's to the Beach Volleyball Stadium for midweek action March 1. Matches against the Pilots and Gaels are scheduled for 12 and 2 p.m., respectively.
No. 7/9 Stanford 3, No. 9/10 Hawai'i 2
1. Riley Wagoner/Kylin Loker (UH) def. Charlie Ekstrom/Kate Reilly (STAN) 19-21, 22-20, 15-11
2. Kaylee Glagau/Brooke Van Sickle (UH) def. Maya Harvey/Maddi Kriz (STAN) 21-17, 23-21
3. Taylor Wilson/Line Andersson (STAN) def. Sofia Russo/Lea Kruse (UH) 15-21, 21-18, 15-9
4. Kelly Belardi/Ashley Vincent (STAN) def. Ilihia Huddleston/Sophie Buschmann (UH) 21-16, 22-20
5. Sophie Kubiak/Phoenix Clarke (STAN) def. Caprice Lorenzo/Sarah Burton (UH) 18-21, 21-14, 15-12
Order of finish: 4, 2, 5, 3*, 1
#1 UCLA 4, #9 Stanford 1
1. Lexy Denaburg/Maggie Boyd (UCLA) def. Charlie Ekstrom/Kate Reilly (STAN) 21-10, 21-13
2. Peri Brennan/Abby Van Winkle (UCLA) def. Maya Harvey/Maddi Kriz (STAN) 21-15, 21-13
3. Tessa Van Winkle/Sophie Moore (UCLA) def. Line Andersson/Taylor Wilson (STAN) 21-18, 21-14
4. Ashley Vincent/Kelly Belardi (STAN) def. Jaden Whitmarsh/Marlie Monserez (UCLA) 21-18, 21-16
5. Rileigh Powers/Haley Hallgren (UCLA) def. Sophie Kubiak/Phoenix Clarke (STAN) 21-14, 21-16
Order of finish: 1, 3, 5*, 2, 4
