GULF SHORES, Ala. – No. 6 seed Cal Poly saw its 2026 National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship run come to a close in the second round, falling admirably 3-1 to No. 3 seed UCLA after a competitive showing on the Alabama coast.

The Mustangs (31-9) were tested early as UCLA claimed the opening point on Court 1, where Ella Connor and Erin Inskeep battled in a tight contest before dropping a 21-18, 21-19 decision. CP responded with authority on Court 2 behind Izzy Martinez and Logan Walter, who turned in a dominant 21-12, 21-17 performance to even the dual at 1-1. The victory extended the pair’s winning streak to 14 matches (36-3 overall). 

UCLA regained the edge on Court 5 in one of the closest matches of the day, as Peyton Dueck and Katie Clevenger pushed deep into extra points in both sets before narrowly falling, 22-20, 23-21, giving the Bruins a 2-1 lead.

With the dual hanging in the balance, Quinn Perry and Ashleigh Adams competed on Court 3 but came up just short in a pair of tightly contested sets, 21-19, 21-19, as UCLA secured the clinching point. Court 4, featuring Julia Westby and Elise Lenahan, remained unfinished after the pair’s split sets.

Despite the result, Cal Poly’s performance reflected the program’s continued rise on the national stage. The Mustangs notched their second consecutive 30-win season, showcased elite depth across all five courts, and proved their ability to compete with the nation’s top programs deep into the postseason. Inskeep closed a historic career with 112 total victories, resetting the program record earlier this season.

The postseason accolades further underscored Cal Poly’s standout campaign, as four Mustangs earned AVCA Collegiate Beach All-America honors, including two first team and two second team selections, while five pairs garnered 2026 AVCA Collegiate Beach Top Flight recognition.

With a Big West Championship title, national recognition across the lineup, and another second-round appearance in Gulf Shores, Cal Poly once again demonstrated its championship pedigree.

2026 National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship – Second Round 
No. 3 seed UCLA 3, No. 6 seed Cal Poly 1
No. 1 – Connor/Inskeep (CP) def. Perez/Boyd (UCLA), 18-21, 19-21
No. 2 – Martinez/Walter (CP) def. Mathews/Alden (UCLA), 21-12, 21-17
No. 3 – Perry/Adams (CP) def. Fernandez/Cooper (UCLA), 19-21, 19-21
No. 4 – Westby/Lenahan (CP) vs. Williamson/Dueck (UCLA), 21-17, 18-21 (unfinished)
No. 5 – Dueck/Clevenger (CP) def. Brower/LaBreche (UCLA), 20-22, 21-23
Order of finish: 1, 2, 5, 3*