Daniels and Barrios Qualify for State BVB Pairs Tourney

VC's No. 1 beach volleyball duo of Shai Daniels and Viola Barrios qualified for next week's 3C2A State Pairs Championships by finishing fourth in the Southern California Regionals Friday and Saturday at Mt. San Antonio College. Additionally, VC's No. 2 pair of Talia Behrens and Sadie Lishman competed in the draw, finishing in a tie for 23rd in Southern California.

On Day 1, Daniels and Barrios won their opening match 21-17, 21-17 over the No. 2 pair from Cerritos to clinch a berth in the state tournament. The Pirate 1's then advanced to the quarterfinal round with a 21-13, 21-15 win over the No. 2 duo from Orange Coast.

Meanwhile, Behrens and Lishman fell 21-11, 21-13 to the No. 1 team from Mt. San Antonio before defeating Saddleback's No. 2 pair 19-21, 21-18, 16-14 to survive in their first elimination match. Unfortunately, the pair's luck ran out in the second elimination match a they fell in another three-set thriller to Saddleback's top pair, 19-21, 21-12, 15-9.

Saturday, Daniels and Barrios, who finished fourth at the Western State Conference Pairs Tournament a week ago, advanced to the semifinals by forfeit, 21-0, 21-0 over a team from San Diego Mesa. VC's top pair then fell to Santa Monica's top team, 21-19, 21-14, before dropping the match for third place, 21-19, 21-9 to a team from Palomar.

Daniels and Barrios will compete at the 3C2A State Pairs Tournament on Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10 at Long Beach City College.