The Santa Clara University beach volleyball team kicked off the 2026 West Coast Conference Championship with a 1-1 record, winning against No. 5 San Francisco (3-2) before losing to No. 1 LMU (4-1). In the first match, the Broncos showcased their strength by winning three out of five pairs, with standout performances from Avery Cukjati and Teagan Wilson. The afternoon match against LMU saw Santa Clara's only point come via forfeit at the No. 1 pairs, as they struggled to secure victories against the seventh-ranked team. Santa Clara will face San Francisco again in an elimination match on Saturday.

By the Numbers
  • Santa Clara's overall record improved to 20-16 after the tournament's first day.
  • LMU holds a 27-10 record, indicating their strong season and high ranking.
Yes, But

Despite a strong start against San Francisco, the loss to LMU highlights the gap in experience and skill level between the teams, as the Broncos were unable to secure additional points in a tough matchup.

State of Play
  • Santa Clara is set to compete against San Francisco at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday in a crucial elimination match.
  • The team is looking to rebound from their loss to LMU by leveraging their earlier success against the Dons.
What's Next

The outcome of Saturday's match will determine if Santa Clara advances further in the tournament, where they must capitalize on their strengths demonstrated in the earlier game against San Francisco.

Bottom Line

The Broncos need to maintain focus and resilience to overcome San Francisco again, as this upcoming match will be critical for their championship aspirations.