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	Vol.7, No 13, September 21, 1999
	Game win streak comes to hault By Elyse Medlin Daily Forty-Niner All good things must come to an end.  Needing only three more victories to set the record for most consecutive wins, the Long Beach State womenís volleyball team was stunned by No. 3 Hawaii Thursday night.  The 49ers lost the match against Hawaii, (13-15, 10-15, 15-10, 10-15) ending their 42-game winning streak, which is the third longest in NCAA history. Stanford was the last team to beat LBSU. The Cardinal knocked the 49ers out of the Final Four on Dec. 18, 1997. "This is a very serious level of competition," said LBSU Head Coach Brian Gimmillaro. "That was the match of the year for Hawaii." LBSU had problems from the start. The 49ers have been known for their great ball control. However, they gave up seven unanswered points before sophomore middle blocker Tayyiba Haneefís powerful kill for the 49ers' first point.  Senior Veronica Walls came in to help the 49ers score the second point. Outside hitter Anja Grabovac disrupted the Wahineís next four-point run with an awesome swing for a sideout. The 49ers then picked up the pace, scoring six consecutive points. Hawaii had trouble closing out the game, allowing LBSU three more points during their four attempts at game point. The 49ersí hustle late in the game brought them back from a 7-0 deficit, but it wasnít enough.  "Hawaii gave us an opportunity to win that first game," Gimmillaro said. "We're just not good enough to execute at a high level for long periods of time." Though the Wahine took Game 1, (15-13) the statistics tell a different story: the 49ers tallied 21 kills, 24 digs and hit .229 percent compared to Hawaii who racked up only 18 kills, 14 digs and hit an average of .189 percent. Hawaiiís three serving aces contributed to the win. Hawaii had trouble closing out Game 2 as well, allowing the 49ers another comeback from a 14-6 deficit. The 49ers scored four points in a row, but failed to capitalize further. The Wahine finally pulled together for the win (15-10).  The 49ers emerged from the locker room with different jerseys and a new strategy to capture Game 3 from the Wahine. "We were sweating," Gimmillaro said about the jersey change. Though Hawaii again scored the first game point, the 49ers rallied back to lead for the first time of the match. LBSU led the game by five points twice, setting up for their first win 15-10. In Game 4, the 49ers ran out of time. Hawaii pulled away early after a six-point spree that put them ahead 8-2. The 49ers never recovered. Points were traded between LBSU and Hawaii until the Wahine pulled away scoring three consecutive points for the game (15-10) and the match. Freshman setter Brittany Hochevar did not play Thursday night despite her impressive performance this season.  "Keri's (Nishimoto) more advanced," said Gimmillaro. "We didn't control the ball very well, so Keri's speed became a factor."  The 49ers began a new winning streak Saturday night after they defeated Colorado at Hawaii in four games (11-15, 15-12, 15-8, 15-11).  Sophomore middle blocker Cheryl Weaver led the 49ers with 20 kills, Haneef followed with 16.  Sophomore Keri Nishimoto had 60 assists, despite recovering from a sprained ankle.  The 49ers will host Utah State on Thursday 7:30 p.m. at The Pyramid.		Volleyball coach Brian Gimmillaro shares some tips with sophomore setter Keri Nishimoto in a practice session in the Pyramid Monday. The team has just returned from Hawaii, where it suffered its first defeat since Dec 18, 1997. The match was televised and played in front of 9000 fans.                                                                                                                                                     CSULB remembers fallen soldiers Beach lovers storm local shores CSULB student struck by car CSU cuts energy charges Dope doesn't discredit Jambalaya heats up crowd Basement Jaxx grabs house fans Rack and Roll Game win streak comes to hault LBSU washed out by competition One goal equals win Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.