Freshman Alexis Crimes has been a huge reason to the team's 9-0 start. Matt Brown/ CSULB Sports Information

 

This week's Nugget in the Rough

By Michael Bower
Online Forty-Niner
Sports Editor

True freshman Alexis Crimes has 49er volleyball fans thinking Big West Conference title again. Crimes has given the fans reason to believe as she recorded 54 kills in her last four games including 17 against No.23 University of San Diego Tuesday night, earning her this week's Nugget in the Rough honors.

“We knew [Crimes] would come in and make an immediate impact on our team this year,” Assistant Coach Kevin Boyke said.

The 6-foot-3 middle blocker from Rancho Cucamonga has been a huge lift for the 49ers, which were struck with the injury bug early in the season. Crimes can elevate over most of her opponents, which is why she leads the team with an average of 1.62 blocks per game.

“It's always very rare and special when a freshman can come in and have not only the hitting impact, but the blocking impact that Alexis has made,” Boyke said.

The volleyball team is 9-0 on the season and back into the rankings at No.18 thanks to Crimes' athletic play at the front of the net.

“We wouldn't be having the success that we are having without Alexis,” Boyke said.

Crimes has been a force in the last week of play. She posted 15 kills and a .439 hitting percentage in the Big West Conference opener last Thursday against Cal State Fullerton.

It was more of the same for Crimes on Friday night against Arizona State. Crimes punished the Sun Devils with 13 kills and four blocks as she led the 49ers to an easy 3-1 win.

Saturday it was UC Riverside's turn to see the freshman sensation. Crimes displayed her talent with nine kills and a .500 hitting percentage to help the 49ers cruise to their second Big West Conference victory.

Crimes, for the year, has already tallied 90 kills and a .341 hitting percentage. She leads the team with six blocked shots.

Crimes came to Long Beach state from Etiwanda high school. She was named “Fab 50” in Volleyball Magazine and a Top-10 Player in the Inland Empire, according to the San Bernardino Sun.

Crimes was a three-sport athlete in high school as she competed in track and field and basketball. She was named the MVP of the track team, and a first-team all-league player in basketball.

Crimes also excelled in the classroom as she was on the Honor Roll, Principal's list and on the Who's Who among high school students.

Crimes and the volleyball team will travel to Stockton to take on Pacific at 7 p.m. tonight, and then to Cal State Northridge on Saturday.