Freshman Sand Spikers Bailey Woodside (pict-L) and Madelyn Freeman (pict-R) were selected to the all-Western State Conference Second Team, after closing the season as the Cougars' #1 Pair. Woodside, who earned all-WSC First Team during indoors last Fall, spent all Spring in the sand at the top of the Cougars' ladder. She joined Freeman for her last seven matches of the season and the pair was the only Cuesta duo recognized by the WSC.
On the season, Woodside went 3-15 overall, including one win with Freeman and two with Raina Clifton. Freeman, who was the Cougars' Libero in the Fall, began the season at the #4 position, but her passing and ball control helped her move up the ladder. She began the season at the #4 position and played with three different partners on her way to the #1 position. Freeman's climb began after she joined Amelie Lo Jocano at #4. The duo claimed the program's first individual set victory against El Camino and, a week later, recorded the program's first match win ever against Hartnell. Despite the early success, Freeman earned most of her wins at #2 with Taylor Vannest. The pair tied for the team lead with three match wins and were the only pairing, with more than one victory, to post a winning record. Freeman was 5-13 on the season and finished third on the team in victories, behind her former partner, Lo Jocano, and Olivia Sprouse. That pairing produced a team-high four wins, including tying Freeman and Vannest for the team lead with three wins at one position.
The addition of the new sport was announced last Fall over the Thanksgiving Holiday, but Coach Whitney Meyer rallied her indoor players and recruited eleven players for Cuesta's program opener at the end of January. Despite the rush birth of Cuesta's first new program since 1999, Beach Volleyball still completed its premier season with a 4-16 overall record. The Cougar's record also included a 2-10 mark within the Western State Conference, where they finished 6th out of seven teams.
2024 WSC Beach Volleyball Awards
Bailey Woodside- Second Team
Madelyn Freeman- Second Team
