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CesarBenattiIC05
Isaac Comelli, CSUB Athletic Communications

Beach Volleyball Written by James Tsitakis-Cecil

CSUB Beach Volleyball Looks Back on Record Season

HONOLULU – In a season full of highlights, records, and accolades, the Cal State Bakersfield beach volleyball program bids adieu to the 2023 season after the Big West Championship. With plenty of accomplishments to look back on and a few honored seniors playing their final games, the Roadrunners look positively towards the future as head coach Cesar Benatti will begin preparing the next generation of CSUB student-athletes to achieve even more in the years to come.
 
Quotes from Head Coach Cesar Benatti
  • "Today was not a good day for us, playing-wise. We didn't execute things consistently, which led us to play hesitant most of the time. We had good moments but to win the tournament we needed to be more consistent in all aspects of the game."
  • "On the season, as a whole: "I'm very happy! This season definitely put us on another level. This group accomplished many things that will surely carry on to the next generations. I'm very excited for the future."
  • "This group of seniors is very special, not only as players but as leaders too. I always use the phrase 'everything rises and falls on leadership' and these girls raised the bar pretty high. Their legacy will be forever in our program. I'm excited to see them succeeding in life and anything they do."
Notables
  • The `Runners closed out the 2023 season after bowing out of the Big West tournament. With a 16-win season, blitzing the program's previous record of 11 wins, Cesar Benatti continues to build this program into something special.
  • Senior Hana Makonova picked up a win against CSUN in the final home tournament of the year, and is now Bakersfield's all-time leader in career wins. The veteran `Runner has 44 career victories, breaking a tie with CSUB great Sydney Haynes.
  • Fellow senior Hayley McCluskey also climbed Bakersfield's all-time wins list this season. After her victories on senior day, McCluskey finished her career ranked fifth with 39 career victories, but sits just two wins behind both Cameron Solberg and Milica Vukobrat.
  • CSUB's pairs fought hard in every single match but were unsuccessful on the day overall. The No. 5 pair of Pearl Moore and Megan Gilbert took the lone win against Cal Poly, but Isabella Almeida and Hayley McClusky, as well as Sophia Hladyniuk and Emma Erteltova were both just points away from taking sets.
  • Against UC Davis, Bakersfield gave its best effort of the day, with the three middle pairs all giving the Aggies everything they had. Almeida/McCluskey were narrowly beaten 22-20 in both of their sets, while Alanna Shields and Emma Bubelis were able to nab their match for the lone win. With that win, the pair reached 18 wins on the season, breaking the CSUB record for most wins in a single season.
CSUB 1, Cal Poly 4
1. Jayelin Lombard/Piper Naess (CP) def. Sophia Brandsetter/Hana Makonova (CSUB) 21-15, 22-20
2. Piper Ferch/Izzy Martinez (CP) def. Sophia Hladyniuk/Emma Erteltova (CSUB) 21-16, 21-17
3. Delaney Peranich/Brooke Golik (CP) def. Isabella Almeida/Hayley McCluskey (CSUB) 21-19, 14-21, 15-2
4. Emma Zuffelato/Kalee Graff (CP) def. Alanna Shields/Emma Bubelis (CSUB) 21-15, 21-13
5. Pearl Moore/Megan Gilbert (CSUB) def. Marina Warren/Margo Smith (CP) 20-22, 21-19, 15-13

CSUB 1, UC Davis 4
1. Colleen McGuire/Kylie Miller (UCD) def. Sophia Brandsetter/Hana Makonova (CSUB) 21-13, 21-11 
2. Mia Olen/Megan Luly (UCD) def. Sophia Hladyniuk/Emma Erteltova (CSUB) 19-21, 21-18, 16-14 
3. Tabitha Mitchell/Julia Bodor (UCD) def. Isabella Almeida/Hayley McCluskey (CSUB) 22-20, 22-20 
4. Alanna Shields/Emma Bubelis (CSUB) def. Alicia Letvin/Isabelle Comes (UCD) 18-21, 21-13, 15-10 
5. Morgan Coolbaugh/Sam Lazenby (UCD) def. Megan Gilbert/Pearl Moore (CSUB) 21-14, 21-18
 
~GoRunners.com~
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Players Mentioned

Cameron Solberg

#3 Cameron Solberg

5' 8"
Junior
Milica Vukobrat

#25 Milica Vukobrat

6' 0"
Junior
Emma Bubelis

#2 Emma Bubelis

5' 10"
Redshirt Freshman
Megan Gilbert

#11 Megan Gilbert

5' 11"
Redshirt Sophomore
Sophia Hladyniuk

#13 Sophia Hladyniuk

5' 10"
Sophomore
Hana Makonova

#22 Hana Makonova

5' 10"
Senior
Hayley McCluskey

#14 Hayley McCluskey

6' 0"
Senior
Isabella Almeida

#8 Isabella Almeida

5' 9"
Freshman
Pearl Moore

#21 Pearl Moore

5' 8"
Junior
Alanna Shields

#1 Alanna Shields

5' 10"
Sophomore
Emma Erteltova

#7 Emma Erteltova

6' 3"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Cameron Solberg

#3 Cameron Solberg

5' 8"
Junior
Milica Vukobrat

#25 Milica Vukobrat

6' 0"
Junior
Emma Bubelis

#2 Emma Bubelis

5' 10"
Redshirt Freshman
Megan Gilbert

#11 Megan Gilbert

5' 11"
Redshirt Sophomore
Sophia Hladyniuk

#13 Sophia Hladyniuk

5' 10"
Sophomore
Hana Makonova

#22 Hana Makonova

5' 10"
Senior
Hayley McCluskey

#14 Hayley McCluskey

6' 0"
Senior
Isabella Almeida

#8 Isabella Almeida

5' 9"
Freshman
Pearl Moore

#21 Pearl Moore

5' 8"
Junior
Alanna Shields

#1 Alanna Shields

5' 10"
Sophomore
Emma Erteltova

#7 Emma Erteltova

6' 3"
Senior
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