Texas Christian University victoriously tops Loyola Marymount for the NCAA beach volleyball championship title.
Fresh take:
Beach Volleyball Champions Crowned: TCU Claims First Title Over DB-dominated Field
In a shocking turn of events, the Texas Christian University (TCU) Horned Frogs emerged victorious at the 2022 NCAA Women's Beach Volleyball Championship, breaking the USC-UCLA duopoly that has ruled the sport for years.
TCU, the second seed, showcased sheer determination and resilience, winning a thrilling 3-2 match against the fourth seed, Loyola Marymount Lions. This historic victory marks the first time a school outside of USC and UCLA has taken the title since its inception.
The Trojans had dominated the tournament scene, winning the first two championships and four consecutive titles from 2016 to 2019, while the Bruins reigned supreme in 2018 and 2019.
The title-winning pair of Daniela Alvarez and Tania Moreno (TCU) displayed unparalleled grit and tenacity. After losing the opening game against Michelle Shaffer and Anna Pelloia of LMU, they made a remarkable comeback, winning the final two games with scores of 21-15 and 15-6. Alvarez and Moreno, who took a sabbatical to compete in the Olympics, finished their four-year partnership undefeated.
The Lions, with a 38-7 record, put up a strong fight, eliminating USC in the quarterfinals and top-seed UCLA in the semifinals.
The pair of Sofia Izuzquizal and Allanis Navas (TCU) and Anhelina Khmil and Ana Vergara (TCU) also contributed to TCU's success, securing impressive wins for their respective pairs. The Olympic duo of Alvarez and Moreno led TCU to a 12-game winning streak to end the season.
For LMU, Chloe Hooker and Vilhelmiina Prihti, and Tanon Rosenthal and Giuliana Poletti Corrales, secured points for their teams in the championship match.
Off the Sand:
Dearica Hamby Guides Rae Burrell's Growth in the WNBA
As the WNBA season progresses, veteran Sparks player Dearica Hamby has taken it upon herself to mentor rising star Rae Burrell, offering guidance and encouragement in adapting to the demands of being a reserve on a WNBA team.
Further Reading:
Southern Section girls' beach volleyball semifinal results and championship pairings revealed
Redondo Union crowned Southern Section girls' beach volleyball champions
High school beach volleyball wrap-up: Final results and champions crowned
- The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Southern California (USC) have traditionally dominated California sports, especially in beach volleyball, but the NCAA tournament this year witnessed a surprising change.
- In a significant departure from past years, Texas Christian University (TCU) clinched the 2022 NCAA Women's Beach Volleyball Championship, knocking USC-UCLA's longstanding dominance off its pedestal.
- Daniela Alvarez and Tania Moreno, the title-winning pair from TCU, demonstrated unmatched resilience and determination, emerging victorious despite losing the opening game against Loyola Marymount Lions' duo.
- Away from the beach, in the WNBA, veteran player Dearica Hamby is playing the role of mentor to rising star Rae Burrell, offering guidance and encouragement to help her adapt to life as a reserve player.
- The Women's NBA (WNBA) is witnessing a similar California dominance, with the Southern Section girls' beach volleyball competition also crowning a California champion this year.
- As the NCAA beach volleyball and WNBA seasons progress, California sports enthusiasts will be keeping a close eye on both the familiar faces of USC, UCLA, and WNBA stars, and the new champions rising from Texas Christian University and Rae Burrell.
