USF's sand volleyball team wrapped up play at the inaugural Santa Cruz Invitational on Sunday with a full day of pairs competition on Main Beach.
 
Pairs from Hawaii, California, Cal State-Bakersfield, Cal Poly, Santa Clara and USF made up four brackets. Each school's No. 1 and 2 teams were placed in the Gold Bracket while the No. 3 and 4 teams comprised the Silver Bracket. The Bronze Bracket consisted of the No. 5 pairs while each school's No. 6 duo competed in a smaller bracket.
 
The Dons' top duo of Valentina Zaloznik and Courtney Sabahi placed third in the Gold Bracket, picking up a win over the Santa Clara tandem of Nikki Hess and Kirsten Mead, 21-9 and 21-18.
 
USF's No. 2 team of Sara Staengle and Jessica Gaffney earned a seventh place finish in the Gold Bracket with a thrilling three-game win over California's top team, 19-21, 21-17 and 15-9.
 
Oluma Okaro and Jessica Keenan placed fourth in the Silver Bracket while the Dons No. 3  duo of Katarina Pilepic and Kiara McKibben placed ninth.
 
Inbar Vinarsky and Anja Segota finished third among the No. 5 teams, picking up a straight set victory over a Cal squad, 23-21 and 21-17.
 
USF will return to action on Friday when the Dons join Boise State, Pacific, Cal Poly and the host Hornets at the Sacramento State Invitational. The Dons will play back-to-back matches on Friday beginning with the contest against Boise State at 2:00 p.m. and Sacramento State at 5:00 p.m.  The Dons will take on Pacific and Cal Poly at 1:00 and 4:00 p.m., respectively, on Sunday.