No. 3 UCLA Takes Down No. 1 TCU, 3-2

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SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — No. 3 UCLA (28-2) took down the only undefeated team remaining in D1 collegiate beach volleyball, top-ranked TCU (29-1), 3-2, late Friday afternoon at the Center of Effort Challenge at Swanson Beach Volleyball Complex. The Bruins improved to 4-2 all-time against the Horned Frogs, snapping a two-game skid to TCU in the process. It was UCLA’s first win over a No. 1 team since a 3-2 win last year on March 5 over top-ranked USC in the Battle for Los Angeles at Mapes Beach.

Senior Lexy Denaburg and freshman Maggie Boyd got the Bruins on the board first with a 23-21, 21-13 win on court two over TCU’s Kate Privett and Anhelina Khmil.

But the Horned Frogs answered back when Maria Gonzalez and Hailey Hamlett defeated sophomore Sophie Moore and junior Tessa Van Winkle, 21-16, 21-14 on court four.

The Bruins would regain the lead when sophomore Jessie Smith and graduate student Marlie Monserez (4-0) took down TCU’s undefeated pair (20-1) of Rochelle Scott and Hailey Brockett on court five in straight sets, 21-17, 21-18.

TCU tied things up at 2-2 after Tania Moreno and Daniela Alvarez held off a strong challenge from graduate student Abby Van Winkle and junior Peri Brennan on court one, 21-15, 12-21, 21-19.

It all came down to court three where graduate student Haley Hallgren and senior Rileigh Powers delivered as they have all season, clinching the dual with a 23-21, 13-21, 15-10 win over TCU’s Sutton MacTavish and Ana Vergara. The duo improved to 27-0 on the year (1-0 on court two, 3-0 on court three, 18-0 on court four, and 5-0 on court five).

The Bruins return to action tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. when they take on the hosts, Cal Poly, to conclude pool play.

No. 3 UCLA def. No. 1 TCU, 3-2
Swanson Beach Volleyball Complex • San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Friday, Apr. 14, 2023 • 4:15 PM
Records: UCLA (28-2), TCU (29-1)
1. Tania Moreno/Daniela Alvarez (TCU) def. Peri Brennan/Abby Van Winkle (UCLA) 21-15, 12-21, 21-19
2. Lexy Denaburg/Maggie Boyd (UCLA) def. Kate Privett/Anhelina Khmil (TCU) 23-21, 21-13
3. Haley Hallgren/Rileigh Powers (UCLA) def. Sutton MacTavish/Ana Vergara (TCU) 23-21, 13-21, 15-10
4. Maria Gonzalez/Hailey Hamlett (TCU) def. Tessa Van Winkle/Sophie Moore (UCLA) 21-16, 21-14
5. Marlie Monserez/Jessie Smith (UCLA) def. Rochelle Scott/Hailey Brockett (TCU) 21-17, 21-18
Order of finish: 2, 4, 5, 1, 3*