Walnut, Calif. – The Mt. SAC Women's Beach Volleyball Team faced a challenging slate on a sunny Saturday, squaring off against two programs that consistently rank among the state's best. The Mounties opened the day against 2025 state championship runner-up Fresno City College before bouncing back in a big way, earning a gritty 3–2 victory over reigning pairs state champion Santa Monica College.
Mt. SAC opened the day against Fresno City, a deep and experienced squad, and despite strong efforts across the lineup, the Mounties were unable to find a breakthrough.
At the No. 1 spot, Emma Carson and Kayla Staveley battled but fell in straight sets, while Yaretzi Silva and Eva Fisher, Sydney Valentine and Morgan Wilson, Jasmyn Stampley and Bella Fairley, and Kacey Worcester and Veronica Estrada also came up short as Fresno City claimed the 5–0 win.
After a break, the Mounties responded in their second matchup, returning to the sand with renewed energy and determination against Santa Monica. The game was tightly contested from top to bottom, with all five pairs pushed to three sets, showing just how evenly matched the teams were. Carson and Staveley picked up their first win of the season at the No. 1 spot, edging Grace Vander Veen and Ava Salvo in a back-and-forth battle, 21–9, 20–22, 15–13. Silva and Fisher put together a strong effort at No. 2 but ultimately fell in three sets, as did Valentine and Wilson in a nail-biter at the No. 3 position.
Stampley and Fairley delivered a crucial momentum shift for the Mounties at No. 4, rallying from a first-set loss to defeat Makena Gamby and Kai Garcia, 13–21, 21–16, 15–12, keeping Mt. SAC alive in the dual.
With the match tied 2–2, everything came down to the No. 5 pairs. In a dramatic finish, Bella Ross and Veronica Estrada rose to the moment, defeating Holly MacGaffey and Amelia Bechtel in three thrilling sets, 21–15, 23–25, 15–12. As the final point hit the sand, the Mounties stormed the court to celebrate the hard-earned victory, closing the day with a 1–1 split against two of the toughest teams they will face this season.
NEXT UP:
The Mounties will hit the road for their first away matches of the year, traveling east to face Mt. San Jacinto College and La Sierra University on Friday, February 6, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
STAY CONNECTED:
Follow Mt. SAC Women's Volleyball on Twitter @MtSAC_BeachVB or Instagram /mtsacbeachvball/
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.
