CSUB to Take on Top Competition in Malibu

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – After winning its first four matches last weekend, the CSU Bakersfield beach volleyball team will take on some of the top teams in the county this Saturday in Malibu.

Last weekend was a bit of a tune-up before CSUB does battle with a pair of national powers. The Roadrunners had no problems breezing past Irvine Valley College, Gavilan College, Cal State LA and Vanguard University at the Barnes Beach Volleyball Complex at the Student Rec Center. CSUB was a combined 19-1 in the matches played last weekend.

The Roadrunners will have big early-season test at Zuma Beach on Saturday when they do battle with No. 8 Long Beach State and continue the day against CSUN, who is receiving votes in the AVCA Coaches Poll. CSUB closes the day against No. 3 Pepperdine.

Last season, Long Beach State defeated the `Runners on three occasions and CSUN beat CSUB four times in the regular season, before CSUB won the match that mattered in the Big West Championship Tournament. The Waves and the Roadrunners last met in 2017, with Pepperdine earning the victory.

The 49ers are 1-0 with a victory over Cal State LA on Tuesday, while CSUN was swept 5-0 by No. 13 Loyola Marymount on Thursday. Pepperdine is the most accomplished team out of the four with victories over No. 12 Stanford, No. 6 Hawaii and No. 20 Saint Mary's. The Waves' only loss was a 4-1 defeat against No. 1 UCLA.

Head Coach Cesar Benatti rolled out an entirely new lineup last weekend as CSUB replaced half or all of the six pairs. Mattison DeGarmo and Briannah Mariner beat Cal State LA, but suffered a tough 22-20, 23-21 defeat to Vanguard at the top spot. Freshman tandem Cameron Solberg and Milica Vukobrat were 2-0 at the No. 2 position, while veteran Sidney Wicks and freshman Hana Makonova were undefeated at the No. 3 spot.

Senior Ally Barber and junior Rafa Bonifacio posted a spotless 2-0 record at the No. 4 pair and sophomores Brooke Boiseau and Krista Hernandez were dominant at the No. 5 spot. Freshman Lisa Elisaia and Hayley McCluskey won their only match at the No. 6 position.

The Roadrunners open the day at Zuma Beach at 9:00 a.m. against Long Beach State.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#4 Ally Barber: 6' 0"; Senior

#2 Brooke Boiseau: 6' 1"; Sophomore

#15 Mattison DeGarmo: 6' 3"; Senior

#12 Krista Hernandez: 5' 5"; Sophomore

#10 Briannah Mariner: 5' 10"; Senior

#21 Sidney Wicks: 5' 8"; Redshirt Junior

#3 Cameron Solberg: 5' 8"; Freshman

#14 Rafa Bonifacio: 5' 11"; Junior

#22 Hana Makonova: 5' 10"; Freshman

#23 Hayley McCluskey: 6' 0"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#4 Ally Barber
: 6' 0"; Senior

#2 Brooke Boiseau
: 6' 1"; Sophomore

#15 Mattison DeGarmo
: 6' 3"; Senior

#12 Krista Hernandez
: 5' 5"; Sophomore

#10 Briannah Mariner
: 5' 10"; Senior

#21 Sidney Wicks
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Junior

#3 Cameron Solberg
: 5' 8"; Freshman

#14 Rafa Bonifacio
: 5' 11"; Junior

#22 Hana Makonova
: 5' 10"; Freshman

#23 Hayley McCluskey
: 6' 0"; Freshman