Dons Down Tigers, Earn Split in the South Bay

Saturday, February 21

Santa Clara, Calif.

9:00 a.m.

University of San Francisco

Santa Clara

Photo by: AJ Tinio

2/21/2026 4:46:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The University of San Francisco beach volleyball team (2-2) concluded the opening weekend of the season on Saturday, powering past Pacific (0-1) 4-1 to earned a doubleheader split at the Santa Clara Beach Volleyball Courts.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

Two doubles pairs earned two victories during the two dual matches, highlighted by Jia Lonardi and Rainie Stevens back-to-back straight-set triumphs at the second doubles flight. The duo pushed past Santa Clara's Teagan Wilson and Sammy Wood, 21-18, 22-20, and followed with a dominating 21-16, 21-10 victory over Kelea Saxton Vaka and Abby Miller of Pacific.
Branson Lennon and Rylie Reeves also defeated the Broncos and Tigers, posting 21-17, 21-19, and 21-11, 21-11 decisions during the afternoon.
In the win over the Tigers, Kaydence Stormes and McKenna earned an 18-21, 22-20, 21-11 come-from-behind win over Joelyn Abougoush and Sam Holley to clinch the team victory.

RESULTS VS. SANTA CLARA (L, 3-2):

Sadie Snipes/Avery Cukjati (SCU) def. Kaydence Stormes/McKenna Towne (USF) 22-20, 21-11
Jia Lonardi/Rainie Stevens (USF) def. Teagan Wilson/Sammy Wood (SCU) 21-18, 22-20
Branson Lennon/Rylie Reeves (USF) def. Alexandra Urbina/Reilly Gilliland (SCU) 21-17, 21-19
Noelle Niederman/Clara Cantlen (SCU) def. Jacquelyn Strawn/Lucy Speier (USF) 21-8, 21-15
Ava Stoddard/Callie Loughran (SCU) def. Burkleigh Smith/Nadia Murray Ceriello (USF) 21-12, 21-114

RESULTS VS. PACIFIC (W, 4-1):

Kaydence Stormes/McKenna Towne (USF) def. Joelyn Abougoush/Sam Holley (PAC) 18-21, 21-19, 15-11
Jia Lonardi/Rainie Stevens (USF) def. Kelea Saxton Vaka/Abby Miller (PAC) 21-16. 21-10
Branson Lennon/Rylie Reeves (USF) def. Josephine Kinlan/Zara Crawford (PAC) 21-11, 21-11
Francesca Zanotti/Jayhlin Swain (PAC) def. Jacquelyn Strawn/Lucy Speier (USF) 21-18, 21-19
Burkleigh Smith/Nadia Murray Ceriello (USF) def. Charlotte Gibson/Makayla Beckett (PAC) 17-21, 25-22, 15-9

UP NEXT:
San Francisco returns to action on Friday, Feb. 27, when it takes on Stanford and Santa Clara in the Battle By The Bay at the Stanford Beach Volleyball Stadium.

FOLLOW US:
For updates and more information on the San Francisco beach volleyball team, follow the Dons on Instagram @USFDonsBeach.

MERCHANDISE:
Want to dress like the Dons? Get your official San Francisco Dons gear from the University of San Francisco bookstore today! Click here to purchase.

SPONSOR THE DONS:
The University of San Francisco Athletics Department would like to acknowledge and thank our sponsor – ABM - for their continued support of USF Athletics. Interested in sponsoring the Dons? Please contact Frank Allocco, the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director of External Relations, at fallocco@usfca.edu or at (415) 422-4561.