UCLA Beach Volleyball Faces Cal Poly in NCAA Second Round
The Bruins will face the winner of Texas vs. LMU if they get past the Mustangs.
Yesterday, the top six seeds all swept their opponents to advance to the second round of the NCAA Beach Volleyball tournament in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Meanwhile, the seventh-seeded Loyola Marymount and the eighth-seeded UC Berkeley Golden Bears both went the distance against their opponents, but ultimately, they both won their duals to ensure that the top eight seeds all advanced to today’s second round.
UCLA, which is the number three seed this year, swept the 14 seed Tulane Green Wave, 3-0.
Last Time Out
When the Bruins squared off against Tulane yesterday, UCLA came out and promptly swept the match.
UCLA began the dual by winning the first set on four of the five courts. Only the #4 pair of Ava Williamson and Jesse Dueck lost their first set, 24-26.
The #5 pair of Kenzie Brower and Mallory LaBreche set up the sweep by defeating Avery Burks and Lauren Mann, 21-12, 21-13, to give UCLA their first point.
The #1 pair of Sally Perez and Maggie Boyd scored the Bruins second point by sweeping Tulane’s Molly Trodd and Skylar Ensign, 21-16, 21-14.
That left the Bruins needing just one more point to advance.
On Court #2, Kaley Mathews and Ensley Alden swept Emma Morris and Katie Hansen, 21-10, 21-16, to complete the sweep. Meanwhile, the #3 pair of Alexa Fernandez and Harper Cooper took their first set 22-20 and were ahead 16-11 when play was stopped by the UCLA victory. Williamson and Dueck were down 9-12 when play was stopped.
Cal Poly Mustangs
In yesterday’s first round, #6 seed Cal Poly swept #11 seed Grand Canyon, 3-0. The #4 pair of Julia Westby and Elise Lenahan defeated Jessica Drake and Isabelle Tucker, 21-16, 21-14, to score the Mustangs’ first point.
Then, Ella Connor and Erin Inskeep swept Karynn Garrow and Becca Drake, 21-12 21-17.
That left the Antelopes needing to win on all three remaining courts in order to advance.
The #2 pair of Izzy Martinez and Logan Walter did their part by winning the third set against Katie Keefe and Sarah Edler to finish GCU, 19-21, 21-5, 15-10.
Pairs #3 and Pair #5 each split the first two sets and the Mustangs were again ahead in the third set when play was stopped.
This is your NCAA Beach Volleyball second round and semifinals open thread.
NCAA Beach Volleyball Second Round
Teams: #3 seed UCLA Bruins (31-6) vs. #6 seed Cal Poly Mustangs (31-8)
Probable Start Time: Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10:00 am PT (following conclusion of Texas vs. LMU)
Where: Gulf Beach Place, Gulf Shores, AL
TV: ESPN2
Live Stream: WatchESPN.com and the ESPN app
NCAA Beach Volleyball Semifinals
Teams: Winner of #3 seed UCLA Bruins (31-6) vs. #6 seed Cal Poly Mustangs (31-8) vs. the winner of #2 seed Texas Longhorns vs. # 7 seed LMU
Probable Start Time: Saturday, May 2, 2026, 12:30 pm PT (following conclusion of Texas vs. LMU)
Where: Gulf Beach Place, Gulf Shores, AL
TV: ESPN2
Live Stream: WatchESPN.com and the ESPN app
Go Bruins!!! Bring home NC #127!
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Bruins squeak by Texas, 3-2. Face Stanford for the title tomorrow.
Until last year when TCU won the title, it was either UCLA or $c that won. $c has already been ousted. Bruins will be trying to return LA as championship central of beach volleyball. Good luck Bruins.