Beach Volleyball | 3/13/2015 9:07:00 PM

Larkspur, Calif.- USF's sand volleyball made a huge comeback against California after a thrilling and action filled afternoon at Piper Park to win 3-2.
 
"I thought it was a great event with a great crowd. Both teams had great rallies, being down 1-2 to make a come back like this shows how much we have grown," said co-head coach Gilad Doron.  "It is fun watching the girls come through down and outs and using their skills to persevere. This mental toughness is what will help us be successful in upcoming play."
 
Competition began with pairs No. 4 and No. 5 on the sand courts. After Cal's No. 4 pair, took the first point against USF, in three long sets at No. 5, Anja Segota and Inbar Vinarsky toughed it out and tied the match up for the Dons with scores of , 22-10, 25-21, 15-10 against Sabrina Blackwell and Sammy Furlan. 
 
No. 3 pair Oluoma Okaro and Jessica Keenan fell short after picking up game point serve seven times in the second set. The pair made Inanna Eshoo and Alli Leong work for the win, 21-16, 30-28.
 
With Cal ahead 2-1, and the No. 1 and No. 2 pairs left to play. The Dons picked up their play and allowed their mental toughness to shine and take the match.
 
Jessica Gaffney and Sara Staengle took No.2 competition in a dominating two sets of 21 -13, 21-19 against Bryce Bark and Emily Shults.  It was up to USF's No.1 pair, Valentina Zaloznik and Courtney Sabahi, to take the match for the Green and Gold. After winning the first set 21-16, and falling the second set to a close match 19-21, Zaloznik and Sabahi held on and in back and forth play in the third set to clinch the win at 15-13 against Sarah Cole and Emily Lunt.
 
Next up for the Dons will be their hosted event of the USF Invitational  at Piper Park on Wednesday, March 18.

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San Francisco 3, California 2
 
No. 1 Valentina Zaloznik/Courtney Sabahi (USF) def. Sarah Cole/Emily Lunt (CAL); 21-16, 19-21, 15-13
No. 2 Jessica Gaffney/Sara Staengle (USF) def. Bryce Bark/Emily Shults (CAL); 21-13, 21-19
No. 3 Inanna Eshoo/Alli Leong (CAL) def. Oluoma Okaro/Jessica Keenan (USF); 21-16, 30-28
No. 4 Ashley Johnson/ Emily Shults (CAL) def. Kiara McKibben/ Katarina Pilepic (USF); 21-11, 21-11
No. 5 Anja Segota/Inbar Vinarsky (USF) def. Sabrina Blackwell/Sammy Furlan (CAL); 22-10, 25-21, 15-10

1's & 2's 

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3's

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4's & 5's

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