Volleyball • Heather Laudato recorded 14 digs in a losing effort against Pacific Thursday. Jon Cook/Daily Forty-Niner

 

49ers suffer first loss of season

By Moria Khou
Daily Forty-Niner
Staff Writer

The University of Pacific smashed the 49ers for its first lost of the season Thursday, but Long Beach State regrouped and defeated Cal State Northridge Saturday.

The No.18 49ers’ women’s volleyball team went on their first road trip of the season to take on the University of Pacific in Stockton.

The 49ers looked to extend their 9-0 (2-0 Big West) start but the Tigers came out biting to win in three straight games (30-24, 30-25, 30-24).

The 49ers led only once in the match at 1-0 in game one. Head Coach Brian Gimmillaro was unimpressed by his team’s effort.

"They out-blocked us, out-served us and out-hit us," Gimmillaro told the Press Telegram. "They out played us in every part of the match."

The 49ers hit a season low .131 as six players finished with a .000 or lower attack percentage. The 49ers also committed 26 errors in the match.

The Tigers’ attack was on the mark as they posted a .410 hitting percentage in the first game and a .272 hitting percentage for the match, while committing only 18 errors.

Freshman Alexis Crimes was the only 49er to record double-digit kills (12). Pacific’s Sidney Bennett notched a game-high 18 kills.

Setter Jillian Mazzarella led the 49ers with 32 assists and Heather Laudato had a game-high 14 digs.

Pacific’s victory ended its six-match losing streak against the 49ers and improved its record to 5-3 (2-1 Big West).

The 49ers looked to rebound from their lost as they traveled to the Matadome on the campus of Cal State Northridge, Saturday. The 49ers made quick work of the Matadors as they trounced their rivals in three games (30-26, 30-21, 30-24).

Long Beach State’s victory extended its record to 10-1 (3-1 Big West), while Cal State Northridge dropped to 6-4 (3-1 Big West).

In contrast to the poor hitting performance against Pacific, the 49ers raised its attack percentage to .368 for the match against the Matadors. Long Beach State hitting remained consistent through the entire contest against Cal State Northridge, as its attack percentage never dipped below .350.

Cal State Northridge, led by senior Jen Ryan, took an early 17-11 lead in the first game. However, the 49ers regained their composure and rallied back, outscoring the Matadors 19-9 for the rest of game to take the victory, 30-26.

Four players totaled double-digit kills for Long Beach State, including, Crimes (14), Kristen Voyson (11 career-high), Robin Miramontes (10) and Heather Hetzer (10).

The 49ers’ senior leader Mazzarella’s took it upon herself to dish out the ball - and that she did. Mazzarella compiled 46 of the team’s 48 assists, a ratio of better than 95 percent.

Nadine Nickels posted 11 digs for the Matadors but Laudato did one better with 12 for the 49ers.

Cal State Northridge’s loss Saturday night ended its six-match win streak.

Long Beach State’s next game will be on Friday, Oct. 1 against Utah State at 7:30 p.m. in The Pyramid.