Big West volleyball preview

The Cal State Long Beach women's volleyball team opened its fall season Thursday but is planning for the future.

Two weeks ago the 49ers got an oral commitment from Misty May to play at CSULB next year. In reports from the Orange County Register and Long Beach Press Telegram, May said she will choose CSULB as the place to showcase her volleyball talents next season.

"I already knew where I wanted to go," said May, a senior outside-hitter at Newport Harbor High School. "I liked the girls and I liked Brian (Gimmillaro) and Debbie (Green). I wanted to stay close to home."

Gimmillaro is the 49er head coach while Green is one of the assistant coaches. The 5-foot-10 spiker was named as a first team All-American in Volleyball Monthly.

May was also the player of the year in the CIF Southern Section Division I last season. As a junior, May guided her team to the Southern Section and Southern California Regional finals.

May, along with four other high school players, participated in the U.S. Olympic Festival In July. She was on the East squad that earned a gold medal. "It was real exciting," May said. "It was a little different playing at a different level and it was a lot harder."

May is no stranger to CSULB. For six years, she has participated in Gimmillaro's summer volleyball camp.

"It has helped me a lot," May said of the camp. "The camp was real positive."