Pyramid winning streak hits seven

By Lyndsey Shinoda
Daily Forty-Niner

Home is where the wins are.

The Long Beach State women's volleyball team proved this by sweeping two Big West Conference opponents at home this weekend, improving its record to 11-4 overall and 3-3 in the Big West.

With the two wins, The Beach is on a 7-0 streak at The Pyramid.

On Saturday, the 49ers made short work of Boise State, beating the team in three games, 15-2, 15-4 and 15-7.

"The game of volleyball is passing, setting, serving and defense, not hitting and blocking," Head Coach Brian Gimmillaro said. "We have the best program because we can do these things. Everybody can hit and block, that's what sets us apart."

1,600 fans filled The Pyramid as the 49ers worked for a hitting percentage of .340 on the match.

Outside hitter Ashanti Taylor started the match for the injured Sarah Connor, and had a career-best 11 kills and a hitting percentage of .474.

Connor is still listed as day-to-day, and will have an MRI on her right knee early this week.

"We're coming together as a team," Taylor said. "We mess up here and there, but those things can be fixed. I'm really excited. This is my position, so I've got to dig deep and play very well."

LBSU setter Brittany Hochevar also commended Taylor's play.

"We are starting to work more people into the lineup," Hochevar said. "Taylor's playing well, we took a step forward."

Cheryl Weaver had 11 kills and 12 digs, and the 49ers held the Broncos (5-9, 1-5) to a .000 hitting percentage.

On Thursday night, the 49ers had an impressive showing, beating the previously undefeated Utah State Aggies (12-4, 4-1), by scores of 15-7, 15-5 and 15-3.

Middle blocker Tayyiba Haneef led the 49ers with 14 kills and a hitting percentage of .522, while Weaver produced 12 kills and a .588 hit percentage.

"Cheryl [Weaver] has had so much pressure carrying the team, now she's able to lead by example," Gimmillaro said. "That's the first time I've seen the real Cheryl all year."

Weaver also acknowledged her strong play in the match.

"I was worrying about the five other people instead of myself," Weaver said. "Now I am trying to concentrate on myself"

Overall, LBSU hit .419 for the match, while USU managed only .137.

The 49ers will try to make it eight wins in a row at home tonight when they clash with American University in a non-conference match at 7:30 p.m.