The No. 9 California beach volleyball team opened the Cal Classic with a dominant display of power and precision on Friday, securing back-to-back 4-1 victories over UC Davis and San Jose State. The matchups, held at the historic Clark Kerr Sand Courts in Berkeley, were defined not only by the team’s collective strength but by several individual milestones that have rewritten the program’s record books.
Chief among these achievements was a career-defining performance by senior Portia Sherman. By securing victories in both matches, Sherman became only the sixth player in program history to reach 75 career wins. Her success was bolstered by her partnership with Emma Donley at the No. 1 spot, where the duo continued to solidify their status as the most successful pair in Cal history.
As the No. 9 Bears notch pair of victories at Cal Classic, the results underscore a deep roster capable of maintaining pressure across multiple courts. The team’s ability to secure straight-set wins in the top spots provided a cushion that allowed them to weather isolated losses in the lower brackets.
A Legacy in the Making: Record-Breaking Milestones
The synergy between Portia Sherman and Emma Donley has become a cornerstone of the California beach volleyball program. On Friday, the pair amassed their 47th career victory together, extending the program record for the most wins by a single pair. All of these victories have come even as competing as the team’s top-seeded duo, a testament to their consistency under pressure.
Sherman now holds a career record of 75-14. Although, she was not the only Bear climbing the all-time rankings. Senior Gia Fisher, pairing with Ava Haughy at the No. 3 spot, earned two wins to bring her career total to 71, tying her for seventh place on the program’s individual wins list.
Emma Donley as well advanced her personal standing, reaching 70 career wins to move into ninth place in Cal history, trailing Fisher by just one victory. Senior Marilu Pally, teaming with Grace Hong, registered two wins to reach 66 career victories, which ties her for 10th place all-time at the university.
Match Analysis and Personnel Updates
The victory over UC Davis was nearly a sweep, with the Bears taking the first four courts. The only blemish occurred at the No. 5 spot, where sophomore Elle Evers was forced to retire due to injury, handing the Aggies their sole match point. The victory over San Jose State followed a similar pattern, though the Spartans managed to secure their lone win on the No. 4 court against the pair of Mila Yarich and Sofia Williams.
The efficiency of the top three pairs was the deciding factor in both contests, with Sherman/Donley and Hong/Pally consistently delivering straight-set results. The following table breaks down the key results from Friday’s action:
| Court | Opponent: UC Davis | Opponent: San Jose State |
|---|---|---|
| No. 1 | Cal (21-16, 21-14) | Cal (21-19, 21-13) |
| No. 2 | Cal (21-19, 21-11) | Cal (21-11, 21-14) |
| No. 3 | Cal (21-8, 21-14) | Cal (22-20, 21-17) |
| No. 4 | Cal (21-14, 21-15) | SJSU (21-19, 21-17) |
| No. 5 | UCD (Retirement) | Cal (21-17, 21-16) |
The End of an Era at Clark Kerr
Beyond the scoreboards, Friday’s matches carried significant emotional weight. Saturday will mark the final time the Bears compete at the Clark Kerr Sand Courts. The facility has served as the program’s home for years, but the university is preparing for a major upgrade. Cal is scheduled to move into the new Banatao Family Beach Volleyball Stadium in 2027, a move that promises state-of-the-art amenities for the NCAA beach volleyball program.
To close out the home schedule, the program will host a special ceremony on Saturday following the final match of the day. The event, estimated to begin around 4 p.m., will honor eight departing seniors who have been instrumental in elevating the team to its current top-10 national ranking.
The Bears will return to the sand on Saturday to face UC Davis and San Jose State once more, seeking to maintain their momentum before transitioning their focus to the remainder of the season and the eventual move to their new stadium.
We invite readers to share their thoughts on the Bears’ historic season in the comments below and share this story with fellow volleyball fans.
