The Beach loses Big West openers on the road

By Lyndsey Shinoda
Daily Forty-Niner

The road did not treat the Long Beach State women's volleyball team well this weekend, as The Beach lost to UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly in Big West Conference play.

"We could dominate games, but we're just not experienced enough to get out of trouble," said Head Coach Brian Gimmillaro.

LBSU (8-3 overall, 0-2 Big West) fought hard Saturday night at Cal Poly (7-4, 1-1), but were defeated by the Mustangs for the first time since 1987.

The match was decided in five games, with scores of 15-10, 10-15, 15-1, 3-15 and 15-13.

In the deciding fifth game, there were 15 lead changes and nine ties before the Mustangs put the 49ers to bed. Leading the way for Cal Poly was Melanie Hathaway, who had 23 kills and 15 digs.

LBSU's hitting percentage was not up to par, hitting only .200 in three of the five games.

49er Tayyiba Haneef had 17 kills and seven blocks to help LBSU, while Cheryl Weaver chipped in with 14 kills and 13 digs.

In Friday's match at UC Santa Barbara, the 49ers were again upset by a team that had not beat them since 1995. The Gauchos defeated LBSU in five games, 8-15, 9-15, 16-14, 15-10 and 15-8.

The match marked the return of senior Mariah Marquis into the lineup.

"It was great to have Mariah back," Gimmillaro said. "I just wish we could have rewarded her."

Despite winning the first two games, the 49ers struggled after intermission, as the Gauchos took control and won the last three games.

Gaucho middle blocker Danielle Bauer led all players with 26 kills on the match.

49er middle blocker Haneef added 24 kills and Weaver ended with 20 kills and 14 digs.

After the disappointing weekend, the 49ers return to The Pyramid for a Big West match against the UC Irvine Anteaters, Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.