The emotions from Senior Day have settled – now comes the final test.

The regular season comes down to one last trip along the I-10.

In its regular-season finale, No. 1 UCLA beach volleyball (26-4) will face No. 3 USC (26-7) Thursday in a crosstown showdown at Merle Norman Stadium.

Since the NCAA began sponsoring beach volleyball in 2016, the two rival programs have defined the sport’s championship history. UCLA and USC have claimed eight of the nine national titles, with the Trojans owning to the Bruins’ two.

Last season, USC beat UCLA in the contenders bracket final of the MPSF Beach Volleyball championship, a result that the Bruins have not forgotten entering this year’s matchup.

This season, however, has told a different story.

UCLA has won each of its three matchups against USC in 2026, opening with a 3-1 victory in Honolulu before edging out five-set victories in Laguna Beach, California, on April 4, and then in San Luis Obispo less than a week ago.

With one more meeting on deck, the Bruins have an opportunity to complete a season sweep of their crosstown rival – something they have yet to accomplish in the NCAA era.

“We really view this program as a ‘beach volleyball village,’ because it’s not just about the players and coaches – it’s about everyone involved,” said coach Jenny Johnson Jordan. “We know going into an environment like USC will be a challenge – they’ll be motivated and ready – so we have to match that energy and be fully prepared to compete.”

UCLA enters the matchup riding a seven-match winning streak, sustaining its most recent loss to then-No. 1 Stanford on April 3. The winning stretch includes two victories over the Trojans, which may give the Bruins added confidence heading into the regular-season finale.

The Trojans, meanwhile, have found their form late in the season, winning three of their last four matchups. USC has picked up statement wins over then-No. 1 Stanford, reigning national champion and No. 8 TCU and reigning national runner-up and then-No. 7 LMU – with its lone loss across that span coming against UCLA.

Thursday’s outcome may depend on the court one duo of senior Maggie Boyd and sophomore Sally Perez.

The 2025 MPSF Pair of the Year has won all three dual matches against the Trojans by a combined six sets to one this season.

“What makes this program unique is how close everyone is, no matter the class, and that bond off the court translates directly into trust when we’re competing in high-pressure situations,” Boyd said. “It’s honestly hard to process everything we’ve accomplished because sometimes it doesn’t even feel real, but I’m just incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given and the chance to play with such great partners.”

UCLA’s depth has been just as critical behind its top pair. From the middle courts to the bottom pairings, the squad has shown an ability to close out tight duals and capitalize on key moments – a factor that has played a major role in its success against USC this year.

That balance has allowed the Bruins to remain steady in high-pressure situations, as different pairs have stepped up at various points across the season. Redshirt junior Ensley Alden and redshirt sophomore Kaley Mathews, UCLA’s court two tandem, won MPSF Pair of the Week after a 3-0 weekend at the Center of Effort Challenge from April 10-11, including the championship dual victory over USC.

And grit is required to thrive in the postseason.

“I’ve learned that to stay resilient, you have to look beyond wins and losses and focus on the bigger picture – the relationships, the growth and the community around you, and that’s something I don’t think I would have fully understood without going through everything I did,” said redshirt junior Jayla Shanks. “The love within this team is hard to describe unless you’re part of it, but it’s what motivates me every day, and because of that, we’re able to stay grounded, stay grateful and keep pushing toward our goals no matter what’s ahead.”