ASHLAND – The Southern Oregon beach volleyball team started its second season with a clean sweep of Simpson (Calif.) in a non-conference matchup Thursday at the Raider Beach Courts.
The Raiders held all five Simpson pairs under nine points in each set, outscoring the Redhawks 210-68 combined on the afternoon. They also dominated the No. 6-pair exhibition.
"We've been going since Jan. 8 so it was great for us to play a real match – we needed it," SOU coach Paul Elliott said. "We did a great job of adjusting to the elements, there was excitement and energy from the whole squad and we relied on their enthusiasm to stay focused. This is a very smart and savvy team for being so young."
The Raiders are home to open their 12-dual Cascade Conference schedule this weekend, starting against College of Idaho at noon Friday. On Saturday, they host Northwest (Wash.) at 10 a.m. and Bushnell at 2 p.m.
SOUTHERN OREGON 5, SIMPSON 0
1. Madi Gray/Tessa Zimmerman (SOU) def. Katie Graham/Madison Kammuller (SU), 21-6, 21-6
2. Grace Gulbrandsen/Kira Sandoval (SOU) def. Avery McMurray/Emily Mello (SU), 21-6, 21-8
3. Lucretia Benolken/Taylor Jackson (SOU) def. Mariah Napoleon/Brooklynn Wybenga (SU), 21-9, 21-3
4. Skyy Nihipali-Botelho/Annie Hite (SOU) def. Tiara Manns/Lynette McKenzie (SU), 21-8, 21-7
5. Natalie Perez/Natasha Perez (SOU) def. Dani Rydjord/Emma Seitz (SU), 21-6, 21-7
EX: Kendal Hadwick/Carly-Rose Lederer (SOU) def. Sierra Murphy/Abigail Redfield (SU), 21-8, 21-6
Order of finish: 2-4-1-3-5