ASHLAND — The No. 4-ranked Southern Oregon beach volleyball team swept its home and conference opener, defeating Simpson (Calif.) 5-0 on Friday at the Raider Beach Courts.

The Raiders dropped only one of 11 sets all day and didn't give up more than 17 points in any of the others. They improved to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the Cascade Conference. 

No. 3 pair Andressa Ribeiro Soares and Maelle Garon took the first match of the day in a decisive 21-13, 21-6 victory. No. 4 pair Amanda Moffat and Katilyn Shilling won next (21-12, 21-16) and No. 1 pair Tessa Zimmermann and Grace Gulbrandsen secured the dual win (21-10, 21-17). 

 "It's nice to compete at home and start conference play with a win," said head coach Paul Elliott. "We're excited to come back out tomorrow." 

They play two more duals on Saturday, facing Portland at 10 a.m. and Simpson again at 2 p.m. 
 

Southern Oregon 5, Simpson 0 
1. Tessa Zimmermann/Grace Gulbrandsen (SOU) def. Kimora McKechnie/Brooklyn Jimenez (SU) 21-10, 21-17 
2. Kira Sandoval/Poppy Freeman (SOU) def. Tiara Manns/Emily Melo (SU) 16-21, 21-10, 15-7
3. Andressa Ribeiro Soares/Maelle Garon (SOU) def. Elizabeth Heath/ Kare Anne Oshiro (SU) 21-13, 21-6 
4. Amanda Moffat/Kaitlyn Shilling (SOU) def. Mackenzie Tataryn/Sylus Moore (SU) 21-12, 21-16
5. Natalie Perez/Kendal Hadwick (SOU) def. Kiersti Howell/Alexia Andaya (SU) 21-9, 21-9  

Match Notes: 
Simpson: 0-5, 0-1 CCC 
Southern Oregon: 2-1, 1-0 CCC 
Order of finish: 3-4-1-5-2