FRISCO, TEXAS – All five pairs for McNeese beach volleyball were named to the All-Southland Conference teams, the league announced prior to the start of the conference tournament. It marks the first time in program history that McNeese has had players earn All-Southland honors.
The No. 4 pair of Gracie Behneke and Breanna Cagle led the way with a 20-6 overall record. The duo went 3-3 in designated Southland Conference play and 8-3 overall against conference opponents, while posting a perfect 5-0 mark in non-designated conference matchups. They were named First Team All-Southland, becoming the first pair in program history to earn first team honors.
McNeese also placed its No. 1, 2, 3, and 5 pairs on the All-Southland teams.
The No. 1 pair of Kendall Osgood and McKenzie Moore compiled a 16-9 overall record, including a 4-2 mark in designated conference play and a 7-4 record against conference opponents. The duo clinched match point in three milestone victories for the program—against College of Charleston (March 6), Stephen F. Austin (March 21), and East Texas Baptist (April 14)—each marking a first win over those opponents.
The No. 2 pair of Rylee Lansing and Victoria Simmang posted a 20-6 overall record. They went 4-2 in designated conference play and 8-3 overall against conference opponents, while adding a 4-1 mark in non-designated matchups.
Bethanie Durant and Reese Russell anchored the No. 3 position, finishing with a 14-11 overall record. The pair went 3-3 in designated conference play and 7-4 against conference opponents, while adding a 4-1 mark in non-designated matches. The duo also clinched the deciding point in a win over UTEP on Feb. 21, marking the program's first victory over the Miners.
The No. 5 pair of McKenna Malone and Isabella Giarla turned in a standout season with a 20-5 overall record. The duo posted a 5-1 mark in designated conference play and a 9-2 record against conference opponents, while going 4-1 in non-designated matchups. Malone and Giarla also clinched match point in wins over Texas A&M-Kingsville (Feb. 27), UTEP (March 14), and HCU (March 22), contributing to multiple program firsts.
McNeese (21-5, 4-2) enters the Southland Conference Beach Volleyball Championship as the No. 3 seed, marking the highest seed in program history.
The Sandy Pokes open tournament play Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Corpus Christi against No. 6 seed Stephen F. Austin (5-20, 1-4). It will be the third meeting between the teams this season, with McNeese winning both previous matchups in 5-0 sweeps. The match will be streamed on ESPN+ with live stats available
