TUCSON, Ariz. - The No. 11 Cal beach volleyball team took care of business again on Saturday, beating Washington and Arizona State by scores of 4-1 and 5-0 respectively at the Pac-12 South Tournament at Arizona. The Bears extended their season-opening undefeated streak to four games.
 
Washington represented Cal's stiffest competition thus far, with the Huskies stealing a point in the No. 2 match and pushing the No. 1 contest to three sets. However, strong showings by Cal's 3-5 pairs, including a 21-11, 21-12 victory for junior Madison Dueck and sophomore Alexia Inman at the No. 5 spot, sealed the match for the Golden Bears.
 
While the match against ASU was a shutout, the Sun Devils gave Cal a fight.The No. 4 and No. 5 matches each went to the third set, with Cal only maintaining the sweep after Dueck and Inman were able to hold on and take a thrilling third set, 23-21.
 
"Madi and Alexia battled hard against ASU," Cal head coach Meagan Owusu said. "When the score was tight in the third, rather than getting nervous, they got big and aggressive and took the match into their own hands."
 
In the No. 1 match against ASU, each set was decided by three or fewer points with freshman Jordan Polo and sophomore Mima Mirkovic squeaking out wins of 22-20 and 21-18.
 
Cal's No. 2 pair of senior Grace Campbell and sophomore Maddie Micheletti had a somewhat easier time, convincingly defeating their Arizona State opponents by scores of 21-13 and 21-14.
 
"I was really happy with our team's performance in both matches today," Owusu said. "All of our pairs showed a lot of grit and mental toughness battling through the tight matches."
 
This is the Bears' first road trip of the season and Saturday's matches aired on the Pac-12 Networks. While the team is comfortable traveling and playing in front of the camera, the first road trip of the season is always a test. The Bears passed with flying colors.
 
"Traveling always takes you a little out of your routine," Owusu said. "So it is important we focus on the things we can control."
 
The Bears now turn their attention to Sunday morning's dual against No. 1 UCLA, the reigning national champion. Owusu is excited for Cal's chance to prove itself against collegiate beach volleyball's best.
 
"UCLA is a strong team. So this is a great opportunity to battle and see what we're made of," Owusu said..
 
Sunday's dual also airs on the Pac-12 Networks, beginning at 9:15 a.m. PT.
 
 
No. 11 California 4, Washington 1
1. Jordan Polo-Mima Mirkovic (Cal) def. Destiny Julye-Shayne McPherson, 21-15, 20-22, 15-13
2. Kristen Gengenbacher-Cat McCoy (UW) def. Caroline Schafer-Iya Lindahl 21-18, 21-19
3. Maddie Micheletti-Grace Campbell (Cal) def. Chloe Newton-Emma Calle, 21-15, 21-16
4. Mia Merino-Abby Waldburger (Cal) def. Kyra Peterson-Callie Weber,  25-23, 21-12
5. Alexia Inman-Madison Dueck (Cal) def. Anna Visser-Cailin Onosko, 21-11, 21-12
 
No. 11 California 5, Arizona State 0
1. Jordan Polo-Mima Mirkovic (Cal) def. Katelyn Carballo-Olly Okaro, 22-20, 21-18
2. Grace Campbell-Maddie Micheletti (Cal) def. Cierra Flood-Ashley Wenz, 21-13, 21-14
3. Iya Lindahl-Caroline Schafer (Cal) def. Katie Cross-Ellyson Lundeberg, 21-19, 21-16
4. Alexia Inman-Madison Dueck (Cal) def. Kate Baldwin-Samantha Plaster, 24-22, 19-21, 23-21
5. Mia Merino-Abby Waldburger (Cal) def. Emily Anderson-Lauren Weinntraub, 21-14, 16-21, 15-5