MiraCosta College Shines in Regional Team Playoff

Team Picture, MiraCosta women's beach volleyball, 2024

May 1, 2024

The MiraCosta College women's beach volleyball team is peaking at the right time. After two important wins in the last week of conference, the team has now followed up that performance with two convincing wins in the 3C2A Regional State Playoffs. The Spartans entered the day as the 3rd seed, which positioned them to host Mt. San Antonio College and Santa Monica College, with a place at the 3C2A State Championships at stake.

MiraCosta started strong with a 4-1 win over Santa Monica. Notable performances included Ana Lara & Alexis Jones who cruised to an easy win in the 4's flight. Late in the match Riley Rathfon & Daysha Halbert won a third game to finish off the 4-1 victory in the 3's flight.

In the second match, against Mt. San Antonio College, the Spartans were focused and continued to play inspiring volleyball. A win from Alyson Alden & Emee Fellens in the 1's flight, help set the tone. Once again, Ana Lara and Alexis Jones were the first pair finished, with their second dominant performance of the day. Elle Harrity & Jaiden Mistelski - Zeis dug deep to win against Mt. SAC at the 2's flight and Alexia Bigelow & Payton Lundine, had an impressive showing at the 5's flight all day.

With the 2-0 finish on the day, MiraCosta qualifies for the 3C2A state championships on May 8th, at West Valley College. The site of the state championships is nostalgic for Spartan beach volleyball alumni, with memories of the 2017 state championship and 2018 2nd place finish.

Coach Andrew Bennett was hired to lead the beach volleyball program in June of 2023 and quickly assembled the most talented roster he could. His beach recruits, paired with the dual sport athletes that played indoor volleyball in the fall, came together and has been a formidable opponent. With the victories today, the team is 16-9, finished second in the PCAC standings, earned the #3 seed in the southern regional state playoffs, and now will have a chance to win MiraCosta another state championship.

For full details about the state championships, click here.

For the full 2024 roster see below: