Gimmillaro
wins No. 500
By Karl Peterson
On-line Forty-Niner
The
Long Beach State women’s volleyball team
head coach Brian Gimmillaro reached a career
milestone by earning his 500th career victory
in a win over the University of Connecticut
on Saturday in Storrs, Conn.
The milestone for Gimmillaro adds another
achievement to his nearly two-decade long
list of accomplishments as a college coach,
which includes a winning percentage over
82 percent, three national championships,
eight final four appearances and being named
Big West Coach of the Year six times.
The win for The Beach came in during a match
against the host Huskies at the UConn Classic
volleyball tournament, as the team improved
its record to 18-1 overall.
On Saturday, the 49ers beat UConn (8-12)
in three games, 30-21, 30-28, 30-17, behind
strong play along the net.
Senior Lindsay Phillips and sophomore Kessie
Doering each had 10 kills, while senior
Elisha Thomas posted a season-high 10 blocks.
In addition, senior Brittany Hochevar continued
her ascent in the record books with three
service aces. After passing Misty May earlier
this season, Hochevar is now closing in
on Antoinette White for the LBSU career
record in service aces.
Earlier on Saturday, The Beach defeated
Fairfield University (10-12), 30-22, 30-17
and 30-16.
Thomas led The Beach with another strong
performance, tallying 16 kills in 23 attempts
while senior Tracy Bulquerin contributed
12 digs.
Friday night, the 49ers defeated the University
of Rhode Island (6-12), 23-30, 30-23, 30-22
and 30-23.
Rhode Island came out strong, winning the
first game, which proved to be the only
loss of the weekend for the 49ers.
Thomas and Doering led LBSU with 15 kills
each, while sophomore Kelsey Young had one
of her best games of the season, hitting
a great percentage with six kills out of
13 attempts and adding three digs and four
blocks.
Women’s volleyball will travel to Santa
Barbara next weekend for a highly anticipated
rematch with UCSB Friday at 7 p.m. and will
then travel to San Luis Obispo for a match
with the Mustangs on Saturday at 7 p.m.
The match against UCSB is a chance for the
49ers to avenge an earlier loss to the Gauchos
at the Pyramid and also a chance to regain
a share of the lead in the Big West Conference
standings.
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