HONOLULU – No. 7 Stanford beach volleyball finished its time at the 2024 Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Beach Classic Saturday, falling to No. 2 UCLA 3-2 in the tournament's semifinals.
The Bruins took an early 1-0 lead in the match with a 21-19, 21-16 victory on court two, but the Cardinal punched back with a win on court one as senior Xolani Hodel and freshman Brooke Rockwell topped UCLA's Maggie Boyd and Lexy Denaburg 21-17, 21-15. UCLA retook the lead with a 21-14, 21-15 victory on court five, bringing the match score to 2-1, and secured the victory with a 21-18, 21-17 decision on court three. Sophomores Kelly Belardi and Ashley Vincent added the Cardinal's second point of the match with a 22-20, 17-21, 16-14 win on court three.
The Cardinal returns to The Farm for its next four matches, hosting San José State, Saint Mary's, UC Davis, TCU, and Oregon for the Battle of The Bay at Stanford Beach Volleyball Stadium. Stanford takes on the Horned Frogs and Ducks on Friday, March 1, and battles with the Spartans and Aggies on March 2.
#2 UCLA 3, #7 Stanford 2
1. Xolani Hodel/Brooke Rockwell (STAN) def. Maggie Boyd/Lexy Denaburg (UCLA) 21-17, 21-15
2. Peri Brennan/Devon Newberry (UCLA) def. Ruby Sorra/Taylor Wilson (STAN) 21-19, 21-17
3. Jaden Whitmarsh/Tessa Van Winkle (UCLA) def. Chloe Hoffman/Kate Reilly (STAN) 21-18, 21-17
4. Kelly Belardi/Ashley Vincent (STAN) def. Kenzie Brower/Jessie Smith (UCLA) 22-20, 17-21, 16-14
5. Natalie Myszkowski/Ensley Alden (UCLA) def. Maya Harvey/Clara Stowell (STAN) 21-14, 21-15
Order of finish: 2, 1, 5, 3, 4