The 2025 NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship kicks off on May 2 in Gulf Shores, Alabama, featuring 16 elite teams vying for the national title. Though Beach Volleyball isn’t recognized within the ACC as a team sport (requires four) there are three conference teams competing. While team depth is crucial, championship matches are often decided by standout pairs who rise to the occasion in crucial moments. Here are the key duos to watch, particularly from Stanford, Florida State, and California.
Stanford Cardinals (#3 Seed)
Taylor Wilson & Ruby Sorra (Court 1)
The senior-sophomore tandem has emerged as Stanford’s dominant court one pair. Wilson, a veteran leader, and Sorra, a sophomore sensation, are on the verge of making program history. They’re just one win away from setting a new program record with 38 career wins as a pair, showcasing their remarkable chemistry and consistency on the sand.
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Kelly Belardi & Charlotta Bell (Court 3)
This junior-freshman combination has proven to be Stanford’s clutch performers. In the recent MPSF Beach Volleyball Championship, Belardi and Bell delivered under pressure multiple times. They clinched the upset victory over top-ranked UCLA with a narrow 16-14 third-set win in the semifinals. Then in the championship match against USC, they bounced back from a first-set loss to secure the conference title with a commanding 15-9 third-set performance. Their ability to perform in high-pressure situations makes them a crucial pair for Stanford’s championship aspirations.
Beach Volleyball
The Cardinal has emerged as a legitimate threat to end the UCLA-USC dominance, having defeated both powerhouses during their conference championship run. With their highest-ever NCAA Beach Volleyball Tournament seeding at #3, Stanford has the talent and momentum to make history.
Florida State Seminoles (#8 Seed)
Gella Andrew & Maddie Trusty (Court 2)
This experienced duo anchors Florida State in the middle of their lineup. In the CCSA Championship semifinals, they helped FSU jump to an early lead with a straight-set victory over LSU. Though they fell just short in the championship match against Texas (21-16, 14-21, 24-22), their ability to force deciding sets against top competition makes them dangerous.
Carra Sassack & Bailey Higgins (Court 3)
The Sassack-Higgins combination provides Florida State with reliable production on court three. They were instrumental in FSU’s semifinal win in the CCSA Beach Volleyball tournament, securing the dual against LSU with a 21-19, 21-15 victory. Their consistency will be crucial as Florida State faces Long Beach State in the first round.
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Jordan Boulware & Kenzie Hultquist (Court 5)
This pair rounds out Florida State’s lineup with solid play on court five. Coach Brooke Niles relies on this duo to provide reliable points against opposing teams’ fifth pairs. Their performance could be the difference in tight matchups as Florida State seeks its first NCAA championship after appearing in every tournament since its inception in 2016.
California Golden Bears (#10 Seed)
California enters the tournament as the #10 seed with a strong 27-9 record, earning an at-large bid. While detailed information on their specific pairs is limited in recent coverage, the Golden Bears have established themselves as a formidable program that knocked USC out of the Pac-12 tournament in 2023, showing they can compete with the sport’s elite.
Ashley Delgado has been noted as a standout performer for California in previous tournament play. The Golden Bears face a challenging first-round matchup against #7 Texas on Friday, May 2 at 2 p.m.
The 2025 NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship promises exciting competition as teams battle in the single-elimination format. While traditional powerhouses USC and UCLA remain favorites, programs like Stanford, Florida State, and California have the talent and determination to create upsets and potentially make history. The tournament runs May 2-4, with all matches broadcasting live on ESPN2 except for the championship final on Sunday, which will air on ESPN.
