Down Goes No. 1, AgainDown Goes No. 1, Again
Thomas Fernandez
Beach Volleyball

Down Goes No. 1, Again

TEMPE, Ariz. – For the second time this season, No. 2 Stanford took down No. 1 UCLA 3-2, this time in Tempe, Ariz. at the 2024 Pac-12 South Beach Invitational Friday afternoon.

The Cardinal also took on top-10 opponent and host Arizona State, falling to the Sun Devils 3-2.

Stanford sits at 8-2 on the season after the split day in Tempe.

Freshman Ruby Sorra and junior Taylor Wilson earned the Cardinal's first point against the Bruins on court two. The duo avenged the pair's two losses to Peri Brennan and Devon Newberry in Hawaii on the opening weekend of the 2024 season with a 21-19, 16-21, 15-13 victory, the only losses the pair have faced all season.  Stanford stayed perfect this season on court four as freshman Chloe Hoffman and senior Kate Reilly held off a late rally from UCLA's Kenzie Brower and Jessie Smith, defeating the duo 21-19, 13-21, 16-14. Senior Xolani Hodel and freshman Brooke Rockwell sealed the victory with a 21-17, 21-16 win on court one. 

The second match of the day saw a mid-game lightning delay that paused the match mid-flight for courts two and four. Hoffman and Reilly earned the first point of the match against the Sun Devils, holding off a late surge from ASU's Ava Kirunchyk and Ava Haughy to top the duo 25-23, 21-18 on court four. After Wilson and Ruby fell on court two in a tight three-set battle, redshirt sophomore Emma Morris and sophomore Daria Gusarova captured the second point with a 21-18, 21-18 victory on court five. ASU fought back with a 21-18, 21-11 victory on court one and secured the upset victory with a 21-19, 15-21, 15-12 victory on court three. 

The Cardinal continues play in Tempe tomorrow, taking on No. 7 California and Oregon at 3 and 5 p.m. PT, respectively. 

#2 Stanford 3, #1 UCLA 2
1. Xolani Hodel and Brooke Rockwell (STAN) def. Maggie Boyd and Lexy Denaburg (UCLA)
21-17, 21-16
2. Ruby Sorra and Taylor Wilson (STAN) def. Peri Brennan and Devon Newberry (UCLA)
21-19, 16-21, 15-13
3. Tessa Van Winkle and Jaden Whitmarsh (UCLA) def. Kelly Belardi and Ashley Vincent (STAN) 18-21, 21-18, 15-11
4. Chloe Hoffman and Kate Reilly (STAN) def. Kenzie Brower and Jessie Smith (UCLA) 21-19, 13-21, 16-14
5. Ensley Alden and Natalie Myszkowki (UCLA) def. Maya Harvey and Clara Stowell (STAN)
21-11, 21-19

Order of finish: 2, 4, 5, 1*, 3

#10 Arizona State 3, #2 Stanford 2
1. Anya Pemberton and Daniella Kensinger (ASU) def. Xolani Hodel and Brooke Rockwell (STAN) 21-18, 21-11 
2. Arden Besecker and Ava Williamson (ASU) def. Ruby Sorra and Taylor Wilson (STAN) 15-21, 21-17, 15-13
3. Lexi Sweeney and Taryn Ames (ASU) def. Kelly Belardi and Ashley Vincent (STAN) 21-19, 15-21, 15-12
4. Chloe Hoffman and Kate Reilly (STAN) def. Ava Kirunchyk and Ava Haughy (ASU) 25-23, 21-18
5. Emma Morris and Daria Gusarova (STAN) def. Carys Thomas and Rylie Kael (ASU) 21-18, 21-18

Order of finish: 4, 2, 5, 1, 3*