UCLA beach volleyball defended its 2018 national title with another victory in May. This year’s undefeated tournament run proved the Bruins’ dominance – but last year, UCLA got lucky. Actually, the Bruins took advantage of a flaw in the NCAA championship’s double elimination format. A double elimination bracket begins like a normal eight-team bracket, with […]
Category Archives: Beach Volleyball
Three senior Bruins compete internationally in beach volleyball Olympics bid
Seniors Nicole McNamara, Megan McNamara and Sarah Sponcil have won back-to-back national championships with UCLA beach volleyball, but now the three are focusing on international competition. The McNamara twins entered last week’s FIVB Itapema Open in Brazil as one of eight Canadian pairs. The duo made it out of pool H with a 2-1 win […]
The Rundown: May 8
Beach volleyballJack Perez, Daily Bruin staff The Bruins defended their national title and picked up a few awards. UCLA beach volleyball ended their season with two duos being named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team for their play at the NCAA championship in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Senior Izzy Carey and freshman Lindsey Sparks were given the […]
Beach volleyball brings in small, but talented, 2020 recruiting class
After losing five seniors, the Bruins are set to add a few new faces next season. No. 1 UCLA beach volleyball has three recruits slated to join the two-time defending champion 2020 squad: Lexy Denaburg, Rileigh Powers and Devon Newberry. Denaburg is from Merritt Island High School in Merritt Island, Florida. The 6-footer played soccer, […]
Savvy Simo talks intersection of athletic success and mental well-being
Thirteen UCLA student-athletes spoke out about mental health over a month ago. Savvy Simo wasn’t one of them. But the junior indoor and beach volleyball player said she knew UCLA Athletics was releasing a video March 14 that allowed student-athletes to tell their stories. “I didn’t go because, at the time, I was very overwhelmed […]
Bruins bid farewell to tremendous group of seniors, prepare returning players to lead
GULF SHORES, Ala. — After being the top-ranked team for the entire regular season, the Bruins entered the NCAA championship as the No. 2 seed. But it didn’t matter. UCLA beach volleyball (35-3) upset No. 1 seed USC (32-6) in the NCAA championship final Sunday afternoon, sweeping the Trojans 3-0 to earn the Bruins’ second […]
Beach volleyball claims second straight NCAA title, UCLA’s 117th
This post was updated May 5 at 2:23 p.m. GULF SHORES, Ala. — Abby Van Winkle crouched down and slammed the sand after the ball hit the ground. “I knew I was going to stuff (USC’s Alexandra Poletto),” Van Winkle said. “I needed to take revenge on her, because I got blocked a few times.” Senior […]