`Runners to Face No. 1 USC, Host Vanguard

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Following a split to open the season last weekend, the CSU Bakersfield beach volleyball team will continue the 2021 season with a busy week ahead. The Roadrunners will hit the road to face the No. 1 team in the country, USC, before hosting Vanguard this weekend.

"This week we have some great challenges that are going to test our team at the highest level," said Cesar Benatti, Head Coach of the `Runners. "Playing USC on Thursday will be a great opportunity for us to prepare for the Big West games we will have next week. USC is currently the number one team in the country and is an amazing program. They have been very consistent and are playing at a level above everybody else, at least in California. It will be a great opportunity to play free and learn with the best. We hope to have a good competition against them."

The `Runners (1-1) and Trojans (8-0) are set to clash on Thursday, Mar. 18, at noon in Los Angeles. USC is off to a hot start, posting an unblemished record while only dropping two pairs matches thus far in the season. The Trojans have won three of the last five beach volleyball National Championships.

"On Saturday we have two matches versus Vanguard, which is a very good NAIA school," Benatti added. "Their program keeps getting better every year and they will for sure be a great challenge. We are looking forward to both of these matches and hoping to continue to improve."

Vanguard (6-3) is set to come to Bakersfield and the Barnes Beach Volleyball Complex at the Student Rec Center on Saturday, Mar. 20. The `Runners and Lions will compete in a doubleheader exhibition as CSUB expects to gain valuable experience on the sand courts. Vanguard's three losses this season have come at the hands of NCAA Division I opponents. Most recently, the Lions fell to fellow Big West Conference member CSUN, 4-1.

As a reminder, due to current local and state health and safety regulations, CSU Bakersfield is not permitting fans to attend its athletic events.

~GoRunners.com~

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