University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Carey, Sparks Named UCLA/Muscle Milk Student-Athletes of Week
May 07, 2019 | Beach Volleyball
Senior Izzy Carey and freshman Lindsey Sparks from the UCLA beach volleyball team have been named the UCLA/Muscle Milk Student-Athletes of the Week for Apr. 29-May 5.
UCLA's court five pair of Carey and Sparks went undefeated in postseason play (9-0), capping off the season last week with a 4-0 record and an NCAA Championship. The 4-0 record is tied for the all-time best record in the NCAA by a pair at the NCAA Championship. Carey and Sparks were named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team after clinching duals against No. 3 Florida State and No. 5 LSU. The duo, which dropped only one set in postseason play, rallied to remain unbeaten in the Winner's Bracket Semifinal win over the Seminoles. After losing the second set to Florida State, the Bruin pair trailed 12-8 in the third and deciding set, but went on a 7-1 run to close out the match and seal the dual victory. Carey, the 2019 Pac-12 Beach Volleyball Scholar Athlete of the Year, finished as UCLA's all-time record holder in career wins with 123 (123-25, .831). She also set the UCLA single-season record in 2019 with 36 wins (36-2, .947), surpassing Megan and Nicole McNamara's 35 wins a year ago. Additionally, Carey and Sparks set the UCLA record for best winning percentage for a pair at 93.1 percent in 2019, as the duo went 27-2, all on court five. Sparks finished the season with an overall record of 33-2 (.943) with the 33 victories ranking tied for sixth on the single-season charts at UCLA.
This is the first UCLA/Muscle Milk Student-Athlete of the Week award for the pair this season and in their career.
Also Nominated: Noah Cardenas, Baseball; Maxime Cressy, M. Tennis; Jada Hart, W. Tennis; Bubba Nickles, Softball; Christina Chenault, Track & Field.
