Trojans and Bruins Clash in Beach Volleyball Showdown

Whenever USC plays UCLA, in any sport, tension is high and the stakes are even higher.

The two powerhouses in women’s beach volleyball clashed for the third time this season yesterday at Sunset Canyon Recreation Center in Westwood and each side was determined to claim city bragging rights, at least until the crosstown rivals meet again.     

Contributing mightily for the fourth-ranked Trojans this season has been senior Jo Kremer, who grew up in Marquez Knolls, was a three-year letterwinner at Harvard-Westlake High and was named to the inaugural four-member AVCA High School Sand Volleyball All-America First Team.

UCLA and USC split their first two meetings this season, each decided by a 3-2 score, but Kremer and senior partner Jenna Belton won both of their matches against the Bruins, beating UCLA’s Mac May and Savvy Simo, 21-12, 21-15, on Court 4 in the Bruins’ victory Feb. 28 at USC, then beating the Bruins’ Izzy Carey and Megan Muret, 25-23, 21-19, in USC’s win three days later at Zuma Beach.

Kremer recorded 103 digs, 26 assists and 13 aces in 26 matches as a freshman for Notre Dame before transferring to USC following the fall 2014 indoor season. She enjoyed a stellar sophomore year at USC in 2016, pairing with Zoe Nightingale to go 32-6 overall and earn Pac-12 All-Academic Second Team honors.   

The second-ranked Bruins entered yesterday’s contest riding a 19-match winning streak dating back to a 4-1 home triumph over Hawaii on March 8.

UCLA’s roster includes freshman Alyssa Slagerman, who graduated from Palisades High last spring after leading the Dolphins to the finals of the inaugural IBVL state championships.