Broncos Claim Three Victories at Carolina Challenge

Boise State beach volleyball team secures wins against College of Charleston, Jacksonville, and UNC Wilmington

Mar. 15, 2026 at 1:51am

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The Boise State beach volleyball team demonstrated impressive form at the Carolina Challenge this weekend, securing three victories against College of Charleston, Jacksonville, and UNC Wilmington. While a narrow 3-2 loss to No. 20 South Carolina provided a tough test, the Broncos showcased depth and emerging talent, with record-breaking performances and key pairings.

Why it matters

The Carolina Challenge provided an opportunity for the Boise State beach volleyball team to showcase their skills and progress against a range of opponents, including a ranked team in South Carolina. The team's performance highlights the strength and depth of the program, as they continue to build momentum heading into their next tournament.

The details

The weekend was marked by several milestones for the Boise State team. Ava Anderson and Addison Wolden achieved a program record-tying 29 career victories as a pair, equaling the mark set by Sharli O'Neil and Elli Wolthuis. Allyson Alden and Serena van der Made continued their dominant run, going 4-0 at the Carolina Challenge and improving to 9-3 overall this season. The match against South Carolina proved to be a thrilling contest, with Alden and van der Made securing a crucial victory in a three-set battle on court two. Boise State rebounded strongly, sweeping UNC Wilmington 5-0 and securing a 3-2 victory over Jacksonville.

  • The Carolina Challenge took place this past weekend (March 13-15, 2026).
  • Boise State will compete at the Death Volley Invitational hosted by LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in the upcoming weeks.

The players

Ava Anderson

A Boise State beach volleyball player who, along with her partner Addison Wolden, tied the program record for most career victories as a pair with 29.

Addison Wolden

A Boise State beach volleyball player who, along with her partner Ava Anderson, tied the program record for most career victories as a pair with 29.

Allyson Alden

A Boise State beach volleyball player who, along with her partner Serena van der Made, went 4-0 at the Carolina Challenge and improved to 9-3 overall this season.

Serena van der Made

A Boise State beach volleyball player who, along with her partner Allyson Alden, went 4-0 at the Carolina Challenge and improved to 9-3 overall this season.

Alex Venardos

The head coach of the Boise State beach volleyball team, who emphasized the positive strides made by the team and the composure of the senior players in crucial moments.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of partnerships found their groove this weekend. We've been experiencing a lot with the depth of our roster and a lot of people found their stride and played to their strengths.”

— Alex Venardos, Head Coach (Newsy-Today.com)

What’s next

Boise State will face a challenging test at the Death Volley Invitational hosted by LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Broncos will compete against three ranked opponents: No. 10 California, No. 7 Florida State, and No. 12 LSU.

The takeaway

The Boise State beach volleyball team's performance at the Carolina Challenge showcased their depth, talent, and the continued growth of the program. The team's ability to bounce back from a tough loss and secure dominant wins against multiple opponents highlights their competitive spirit and potential for success in the upcoming Death Volley Invitational.