UCLA Beach Volleyball Wins 3rd National Championship

UCLA's beach volleyball team just proved that third time's the charm can happen more than once.

The third-seeded Bruins swept top-ranked Stanford 3-0 in the NCAA championship match in Gulf Shores, Alabama, claiming their third national title. For head coach Jenny Johnson Jordan, leading her team to the championship in just her third year made the victory even sweeter.

"It is sweet to win national championship No. 127 for the school, for this team, for this program," Johnson Jordan said after the match. The win capped off an impressive season where UCLA finished with a 34-6 record against Stanford's 39-5.

The Bruins dominated from the opening serves, winning the first set on all five courts to build unstoppable momentum. Kaley Mathews and Ensley Alden struck first with a decisive 21-16, 21-11 victory on court two.

Ava Williamson and Jesse Dueck followed with a thrilling 21-17, 25-23 win on court four, with Williamson delivering a service ace on their fifth match point. With UCLA leading on all three remaining courts, the championship was within reach.

Senior Maggie Boyd and Sally Perez sealed the title as the No. 1 pair, defeating their Stanford opponents 21-11, 21-19. The moment held special significance for Boyd, who was named the 2026 AVCA Beach Player of the Year just days before and celebrated her 100th career win earlier this season.

Why This Inspires

Boyd's championship victory came after years of close calls and heartbreak. Coach Johnson Jordan remembered telling Boyd after last year's loss that the team would have her back the following season.

That promise became reality in Gulf Shores, showing how persistence and team support can turn past disappointments into triumph. The championship marked the third title by a UCLA team this season, demonstrating excellence across the entire athletics program.

For a senior who dedicated four years to the program, finally hoisting that championship trophy proved that staying the course pays off.