ASHLAND — The No. 4-ranked Southern Oregon beach volleyball team capped a perfect opening homestand by beating the University of Portland, 3-2, and Simpson (Calif.), 5-0, on Saturday afternoon at the Raider Beach Courts. 

Three Raider pairs saw straight-set victories against the Pilots (3-3), an NCAA Division I team. No. 4 pair Amanda Moffat and Kaitlyn Shilling won two tight sets, 25-23 and 22-20, to even the dual 1-1. No. 5 pair Natalie Perez and Kendal Hadwick won 21-16 and 21-9, before the No. 4 pair of Andressa Ribeiro Soares and Maelle Garon sealed the victory for SOU (21-13, 21-10). 

In their second match of the day and third of the weekend, the Raiders enjoyed five straight-set wins over the Redhawks (0-8 overall, 0-2 Cascade Conference). They didn't give up more than 13 points in any of the sets. 

"We got better as the day went on," said coach Paul Elliott. "It sets us up nicely for next weekend." 

SOU continues CCC play on the road, taking on No. 2 Corban and Bushnell next weekend in Eugene.  

Southern Oregon 3, Portland 2 
1. Leonie Freytag/Elin Larsson (UP) def. Tessa Zimmermann/Grace Gulbrandsen (SOU) 20-22, 21-16, 15-12 
2. Sarah Incitti/Tate Mercer (UP) def. Kira Sandoval/Poppy Freeman (SOU) 21-12, 21-19 
3. Andressa Ribeiro Soares/Maelle Garon (SOU) def. Valerie Bruk/Michela Strati (UP) 21-13, 21-10 
4. Amanda Moffat/Kaitlyn Shilling (SOU) def. Nyah Mitchell/Jeryn Hildenbrand (UP) 25-23, 22-20 
5. Natalie Perez/Kendal Hadwick (SOU) def. Greta Kesmodel/Josie Povey (UP) 21-16, 21-9 
Ex. Melissa Cormack/Elizabeth Ortiz (UP) unfinished Jenna Whitmore/Kiahla Granger (SOU) 21-13, 16-21
Order of finish: 2-4-5-3-1

Southern Oregon 5, Simpson 0 
1. Tessa Zimmermann/Grace Gulbrandsen (SOU) def. Kimora McKechnie/Brooklyn Jimenez (SU) 21-8, 21-12 
2. Kira Sandoval/Poppy Freeman (SOU) def. Tiara Manns/Emily Melo (SU) 21-13, 21-12 
3. Andressa Ribeiro Soares/Maelle Garon (SOU) def Elizabeth Heath/ Mackenzie Tataryn (SU) 21-8, 21-3 
4. Amanda Moffat/Kaitlyn Shilling (SOU) def. Kare Anne Oshiro/Sylus Moore (SU) 21-6, 21-5 
5. Natalie Perez/Kendal Hadwick (SOU) def. Kiersti Howell/Alexia Andaya (SU) 21-7, 21-8 
Order of finish: 4-2-5-3-1