Riverside, Calif. – The Nebraska volleyball team finished the spring season in strong fashion, placing second at the Collegiate Beach Championships Saturday night

The Huskers claimed two champions in the four divisions, getting championships from the duo of Kayla Banwarth and Brooke Delano in Flight C and the team of Brigette Root and Megan Pendergast in Flight D. 

In addition, the team of Tara Mueller and Sydney Anderson placed second in Flight A, losing to the team of USC’s Jessica Gysin and Alex Jupiter in the final. The Huskers had a classic semifinal against the Texas team of Ashley Engle and Lauren Paolini, winning 15-13, 20-22, 15-13 to reach the final.

“Tara and Sydney’s match in the semifinals was amazing,” NU Assistant Coach Lizzy Stemke said. “It went back and forth the entire time and really took a lot out of them heading into the final. Overall, I was pleased with how we did in each today, not only with our play on the court, but in handling the temperatures which got into the 90s.”

The Huskers finished with 34 points, finishing three points behind USC for the title, while Texas finished third in the eight-team competition. The team of Jordan Wilberger and Kayla Banwarth finished in fifth place, as each flight consisted of eight teams.

“It was a great event to participate in,” Stemke said. “The players had a chance to see how an AVP event is run and were able to watch some of the best players in the world on the beach. For the college event, they blocked off some of the streets and created sand courts there next to the stadium court.”

Fourth Annual Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championships
Riverside, Calif. • April 18, 2009

Flight A Championship: Jessica Gysin / Alex Jupiter (Southern Cal) d. Sydney Anderson / Tara Mueller (Nebraska), 15-13, 15-13
Flight B Championship: Zoe Garrett / Geena Urango (Southern Cal) d  Kiley Hall / Heather Kisner (Texas), 12-15, 15-13, 15-10
Flight C Championship: Brooke Delano / Kayla Banwarth (Nebraska) d. Kimmee Roleder / Alli Hillgren / Kati Cattaneo (Southern Cal), 15-8, 15-12
Flight D Championship: Megan Pendergast / Brigette Root (Nebraska) d. Michelle Kocher / Sydney Yogi / Jen Doris (Texas), 15-13, 15-10

Overall Team Standings:
Southern Cal, 37
Nebraska, 34
Texas, 32
San Diego, 23
Hawaii, 23
North Carolina, 14
Utah, 10
UC-Riverside, 7