SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The University of San Francisco beach volleyball team switched up its pairs for another shot at rival Santa Clara, unfortunately the switch only resulted in a 3-2 defeat as the Broncos held off the Dons at the SCU Beach Volleyball Courts Wednesday evening.
 
"It was an improvement over last Friday," said head coach Frank Lavrisha. "We picked up a couple of matches today. We moved pairs and changed pairs which seemed to have helped us. Especially playing on Santa Clara's home courts. For Anna and CC to win at the 1s is pretty impressive due to the fact it's the first time playing together.  On top of that Bruna and Serafina winning was impressive because neither of them are comfortable on the block so they have to play a very defensive game. Overall, a step up from last week and something we look to build on."
 
USF (1-5) fell to 0-2 in true road matches on the year but got stellar play from the 1s and 5s. New pairs Anna Dalla Vecchia and Catie Cronister got the win in their first pairing together.  It is the second time Dalla Vecchia has played in the 1s spot this season and fifth time for Cronister.  The duo took down the pair of Kathryn Decker and Clair Doud in three sets. That same Broncos' pair defeated the Dons in straight sets on Friday.
 
Dalla Vecchia improves to 3-3 on the year and 1-1 in the 1s spot. Cronister improves to 2-4 and is 1-4 in the 1s.
 
Playing in the 5s spot, new duo of Bruna Correa and Serafina Rivera earned a hard-fought win in five sets playing a tremendous defensive match. It is the second win of the season for Correa and first collegiate win on the beach for Rivera.
 
Tanner Pemberton and Katie Wagstaff fell in the 2s 21-7, 21-3.  Sophie Sydenham and Greta Corti also fell in straight sets 21-17, 21-9 in the 3s. Sara Denham and Jessica Eanes continue to get their endurance up on the sand, they fell in the 4s spot 21-10, 21-6.   
 
RESULTS vs. SANTA CLARA
1. Anna Dalla Vecchia/Catie Cronister (USF) def. Kathryn Decker/Claire Doud (SCU) - 21-18, 21-23, 15-12
2. Michelle Shaffer/Julia Sangiacomo (SCU) def. Tanner Pemberton/Katie Wagstaff (USF) 21-7, 21-3
3. Jordan Bennett/Alex Anthony (SCU) def. Sophie Sydenham/Greta Corti (USF) 21-17, 21-9
4. Gretchen Reinert/Kat Georgiadis (SCU) def. Sara Denham/Jessica Eanes (USF) 21-10, 21-6
5. Bruna Correa/Serafina Rivera (USF) def. Alexia Gallegos/Elizabeth Held (SCU) 21-18, 16-21, 15-13
 
Order of Finish: 2, 5, 3, *4, 1
 
NEXT UP:
The Dons will return to the beach next Wednesday when they take on the College of Marin at Noon in Kentfield, Calif.