Beach Bears Fall To No. 8 Long Beach State, No. 2 Loyola Marymount
3/8/2025 4:53:00 PM | Beach Volleyball
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Mercer gave 8th-ranked Long Beach State all it could handle in the opening matchup of the day, but the Bears eventually succumbed, 4-1, to the Mustangs before dropping a 5-0 setback to 2nd-ranked Loyola Marymount.
The losses snapped a seven-match win streak for the Bears (10-4) – MU's longest winning skein in two seasons – and snapped the lid on a 4-2 Spring Break swing through Southern California. Long Beach State (4-3) used the triumph to snap a four-match skid – all to Top 16-ranked teams – while LMU (12-1) has now won eight-straight since dropping a 3-2 nailbiter to then-No. 3 UCLA who currently sits atop the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Collegiate Beach Poll.
The Beach was meticulous in capturing the first four matchups of the day, but MU's No. 3 Pair of Liv Diaz and Jordan Paddock staved off the shutout for the Orange & Black by rallying from an opening-set loss to post 21-19 and 15-13 scores in the second and deciding third set, respectively.
The Bears will now get a 12-day hiatus from competition before making their home debut, March 21-22, and taking on host duties for the 4-team Bears Beach Bash on campus. Mercer is scheduled to play two matches apiece against Emmanuel, UNC Wilmington and Jacksonville across the two-day event at Bear Beach. Admission is free.
The losses snapped a seven-match win streak for the Bears (10-4) – MU's longest winning skein in two seasons – and snapped the lid on a 4-2 Spring Break swing through Southern California. Long Beach State (4-3) used the triumph to snap a four-match skid – all to Top 16-ranked teams – while LMU (12-1) has now won eight-straight since dropping a 3-2 nailbiter to then-No. 3 UCLA who currently sits atop the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Collegiate Beach Poll.
The Beach was meticulous in capturing the first four matchups of the day, but MU's No. 3 Pair of Liv Diaz and Jordan Paddock staved off the shutout for the Orange & Black by rallying from an opening-set loss to post 21-19 and 15-13 scores in the second and deciding third set, respectively.
The Bears will now get a 12-day hiatus from competition before making their home debut, March 21-22, and taking on host duties for the 4-team Bears Beach Bash on campus. Mercer is scheduled to play two matches apiece against Emmanuel, UNC Wilmington and Jacksonville across the two-day event at Bear Beach. Admission is free.
Players Mentioned
/ Beach Volleyball
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