KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Southern Oregon University’s Molly Grace and Kira Sandoval have been named the NAIA Beach Volleyball Pair of the Week after delivering a perfect 3-0 performance in their first Cascade Conference matches together. The duo, featuring graduate student Grace from Cypress, California, and junior Sandoval from Chelan, Washington, helped the Raiders continue a strong start to the season as the team sits at 6-2 overall, while the pair owns a 3-2 record in doubles play.
Grace and Sandoval quickly proved they can be a difference-making combination at the No. 2 position. Their week began on March 6 against No. 2 Corban (Ore.) in a tightly contested dual that Southern Oregon ultimately dropped 3-2. Even in the loss, Grace and Sandoval provided a highlight result by taking down Corban’s second pair, Gabi Engles and Allyson Reid, in three sets. After dropping the opener 21-17, they responded emphatically with a 21-10 second set and closed the match with a 15-7 win in the third, showing both resilience and the ability to raise their level as the match progressed.
Later that same day, the Raiders faced Bushnell (Wash.) and earned a 3-2 victory, with Grace and Sandoval again coming through at No. 2. They defeated Olivia Kelzenberg and Jazmyn Wilcox in straight sets, 21-12, 21-13, setting the tone. The following day, Southern Oregon met Bushnell again and improved on the result with a 4-1 win. Grace and Sandoval completed the weekend sweep of the same Bushnell pair, this time in a more competitive straight-set battle, 21-17, 22-20, closing out the second set under pressure to finish unbeaten on the week.
The signature accomplishment of the week was the win over Corban’s No. 2 pair, a result that underscored how quickly Grace and Sandoval have come together as a unit. Going 3-0 in their first conference action as partners, they provided Southern Oregon with consistent points at a key flight and helped the Raiders build momentum early in Cascade Conference play.