Freshman Alexis Crimes blocks the ball during Saturday's 3-0 victory over UC Riverside in The Pyramid. Yulian Danusastro/Daily Forty-Niner

 

Young talent lifts 49ers to 8-0

By Moria Khou
Daily Forty-Niner
Staff Writer

The women's volleyball team remains undefeated after a busy weekend of play against Cal State Fullerton, Arizona State and UC Riverside.

The 49ers (8-0) opened their Big West Conference with a four-game victory against cross-town rival Cal State Fullerton Thursday night in The Pyramid (30-20, 30-19, 31-33, 30-16).

Four players notched double-digit kills for the 49ers including, Heather Hetzer (13), Robin Miramontes (15), Alexis Crimes (15) and redshirt freshman Dyanne Lawlor, who amassed a game and career-high of 16 kills.

The younger player's extended time on the floor is attributed to key injuries to senior Erika Chidester, junior Rosie Lewis, sophomore Natalie Uhart and redshirt freshman Makini Thompson.
Head Coach Brian Gimmillaro talked about his inexperienced cast.

"Some players are too green to be on the court," he said. "It's hard to learn on the court, but circumstances put them there."

Cal State Fullerton failed to capitalize on the 49ers' youth as they had difficulty scoring and finding the open court. The Titans cumulated a humble .087 attack percentage for the match, which included a .000 attack percentage in game two.

The 49ers totaled 11 straight-game victories before the loss in the third game against the Titans. The Titans came alive in the third game and edged out the 49ers 33-31. The two teams were tied 11 different times during the game.

Despite the victory against the Titans, Gimmillaro wanted his players to do better in highly contested games.

"There are things that are acceptable," he said. "It's not acceptable to play not to win the tough and close games. That's what we practice for – your attitude has to look for those situations."

The 49ers played its Friday game against Arizona State at the Long Beach Arena rather than the Pyramid. Since Long Beach State will host the NCAA Championships December 16 and 18 at the Long Beach Arena, the host team, according to NCAA rules, must play at least one home game at the host site.

The 49ers, led by senior setter and second year Baylor transfer Jillian Mazzarella, defeated the Wildcats in four games (30-24, 28-30, 30-23, 30-26).

Mazzarella registered her first triple-double of the season, 10 kills (career high), 10 digs and 56 assists.

"With my position (setter) and as one of two seniors on the team, I'm looked upon to lead, stabilize the team and to be less emotional," she said.

Mazzarella distributed the ball to Hetzer, Miramontes, Crimes and Mariko Crum as five 49ers finished with double-digit kills.

Heather Laudato paced the 49ers with 19 digs, while Taylor Peyton and Mazzarella had 10 apiece.

Looking to add to its stellar 8-2 start, UC Riverside squared off against the 49ers Saturday in The Pyramid.

The 49ers did not let up as they closed out the Highlanders, and sent them back to the Inland in three straight games (30-22, 30-21, 30-23).

Redshirt freshman, Kristen Voyson saw significant playing time against UC Riverside, and made the most of it. Voyson with a career-high, nine kills, ended the first game with a block and closed out the second game with a kill down the middle of the court.

The Beach will finish off the home stand against UC San Diego Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in The Pyramid.