Tuesday, 16 Jul 2024

Several BNT Members Hail from NCAA Tournament programs

The NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship is set to begin on May 7, 2021, in Gulf Shores, Alabama. As the excitement builds, it’s worth noting that several players from the U.S. Beach National Team have ties to the programs competing for the title.

Sarah Sponcil’s Success at UCLA

Sarah Sponcil, a key member of the U.S. Beach National Team, led the UCLA Bruins to back-to-back NCAA titles in 2018 and 2019. In just two years with the program, she made a remarkable impact and earned All-American honors twice.

Kelly Reeves’ Contribution to UCLA

Kelly Reeves, an athlete in the Beach Talent Protection Pipeline, played beach volleyball for UCLA from 2012 to 2013. As a senior, she became the first AVCA Beach All-American in the program’s history.

Kelly Claes and Sara Hughes’ Dominance at USC

The formidable duo of Kelly Claes and Sara Hughes represented the USC Trojans from 2014 to 2017, guiding the team to national titles in 2016 and 2017. Together, they boasted an impressive 147-4 record, including an undefeated 2016 season. Claes earned All-American designation three times, while Hughes achieved this honor in all four years.

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Terese Cannon’s Championship Triumph at USC

Another athlete from the Beach Talent Protection Pipeline, Terese Cannon, transferred to USC and joined the championship-winning squad in 2016 and 2017. Cannon even made the kill that secured the 2017 title.

Betsi Flint’s LMU Legacy

Betsi Flint, formerly known as Betsi Metter, represented LMU from 2012 to 2015. She excelled on the sand, earning All-American honors twice and reaching the Final Four in the AVCA Sand Championships. In 2016, she served as an assistant coach for LMU.

Lauren Fendrick’s Impact at Stanford

Lauren Fendrick, a 2016 Olympian, has made valuable contributions to the Stanford team as a volunteer coach since 2016. Her expertise helped guide the Cardinal to its first-ever NCAA berth this season.

Crissy Jones’ Beach Volleyball Journey

Crissy Jones, another athlete from the Beach Talent Protection Pipeline, had a remarkable year playing beach volleyball at Cal Poly in 2019. Alongside her partner Tia Miric, she was named AVCA Beach All-American and earned the Big West Pairs Team of the Year award. Jones then transitioned into an assistant coach role for the Mustangs in 2020.

Todd Rogers’ Coaching Success at Cal Poly

Todd Rogers, a two-time Olympian and 2008 gold medalist, has been coaching the Cal Poly team since 2016. Under his guidance, the Mustangs secured Big West titles and NCAA berths in 2019 and 2021.

The U.S. Beach National Team will be back in action on May 20 at a 1-Star event on the FIVB World Tour in Sofia, Bulgaria.

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FAQs

Q: What are the NCAA Beach Volleyball Championships?
A: The NCAA Beach Volleyball Championships are a prestigious tournament that brings together top college teams from across the country to compete for the national title.

Q: How many titles has Sarah Sponcil won with UCLA?
A: Sarah Sponcil led the UCLA Bruins to back-to-back NCAA titles in 2018 and 2019.

Q: What are Kelly Reeves’ achievements at UCLA?
A: Kelly Reeves played beach volleyball for UCLA from 2012 to 2013 and became the program’s first AVCA Beach All-American in her senior year.

Q: Which players were dominant at USC during their time in college?
A: Kelly Claes and Sara Hughes were a formidable force at USC, leading the Trojans to national titles in 2016 and 2017.

Q: What role did Terese Cannon play in USC’s championship victories?
A: Terese Cannon transferred to USC and played a crucial role in the team’s championship victories in 2016 and 2017.

Summary

The NCAA Beach Volleyball Championships are just around the corner, and several members of the U.S. Beach National Team have ties to the competing programs. Sarah Sponcil’s success at UCLA, Kelly Reeves’ contribution to the UCLA team, and the dominance of Kelly Claes and Sara Hughes at USC are just a few examples of the talented athletes representing the U.S. Beach National Team. Furthermore, Terese Cannon’s championship triumph at USC, Betsi Flint’s impact at LMU, Lauren Fendrick’s coaching at Stanford, and Crissy Jones’ journey from playing to coaching at Cal Poly showcase the diverse talents within the team. With Todd Rogers’ coaching success at Cal Poly, the U.S. Beach National Team is set to make a statement in the upcoming championship. Don’t miss the action on May 20 as the team continues to compete on the international stage.

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