Boiseau, Unke Earn CSUB's First-Ever Big West Weekly Beach Honor

IRVINE, Calif. – For the first time in CSU Bakersfield beach volleyball program history, a Roadrunner pair has earned Big West Conference Pair of the Week honors. CSUB learned Monday afternoon that Anna Unke and Brooke Boiseau were selected as the league's top pair after posting an undefeated record on Opening Weekend.

"This is absolutely amazing," said Cesar Benatti, Head Coach of the `Runners. "I am very very excited for this huge accomplishment. It shows that we are headed in the right direction, not just this year, but for the future of the program."

Boiseau, a fifth-year senior from Scottsdale, Ariz., and Unke, a fourth-year junior from Lake Forest, Calif., combined for a 3-0 effort at the Barnes Beach Complex `Runner Invite last weekend. The CSUB pair opened the season with a straight-sets victory over the 4s pair of Vanguard, the No. 1-ranked team in the NAIA, winning 21-9 and 21-13.

On Saturday, Unke and Boiseau helped Bakersfield to a 5-0 sweep against Pacific. The pair of `Runners dominated their Tiger counterparts, 21-10 and 21-8, on the way to their second victory of the weekend. Boiseau and Unke wrapped up the `Runner Invite by defeating the 4s pair from Pepperdine, the No. 14-ranked team in NCAA Division I. The `Runners battled the Waves and came back from being one set down, eventually earning a 19-21, 21-17, 15-7 win to finish the weekend undefeated.

"Brooke and Anna executed the game in a really consistent way, especially on the basic things we worked on," Benatti added. "They made a few changes during practice that totally paid off, especially with Anna's attacking and Brooke's setting, which really worked well this weekend. On top of that, they had amazing energy and really good communication. I'm really proud of them!"

Pairing exclusively together for the second-straight season, Unke and Boiseau enjoy a unique chemistry in the sand. The duo was not the only `Runner pair to go undefeated as the CSUB 3s, Paige Calvin and Hayley McCluskey, also went 3-0 on Opening Weekend. Calvin and McCluskey made the nomination decision difficult for Benatti with two deserving pairs, a good problem to have to solve. Ultimately, Benatti gave a slight edge to his No. 4 pair based on their overall set scores.

Boiseau, Unke, Calvin, McCluskey, and the rest of the `Runners will return to action on Friday, Mar. 4, when CSUB hosts CSUN in a pair of home matches.

~GoRunners.com~

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Players Mentioned

#2 Brooke Boiseau: 6' 1"; Sophomore

#23 Hayley McCluskey: 6' 0"; Freshman

#12 Anna Unke: 5' 4"; Junior

#13 Paige Calvin: 5' 7"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#2 Brooke Boiseau
: 6' 1"; Sophomore

#23 Hayley McCluskey
: 6' 0"; Freshman

#12 Anna Unke
: 5' 4"; Junior

#13 Paige Calvin
: 5' 7"; Junior