49ers cruise to two wins in final conference games

Volleyball • Junior Taylor Peyton and the women's volleyball team finished in second place in the Big West Conference after sweeping both games over the weekend. Yulian Danusastro/Online Forty-Niner

 

By Moria Khou
Online Forty-Niner
Staff Writer

After a slight stumble against UC Santa Barbara last weekend, the 49ers gained stride on its final road trip of the season, closing out Cal State Fullerton on Friday and UC Riverside on Saturday.

The Long Beach State women's volleyball team (21-5, 13-5 Big West) made sure that there was no, "Return of the Titans" on senior night, as they defeated the home club in straight games, 30-22, 32-30, 30-24. With the loss, Cal State Fullerton's record dropped to (14-14, 6-13 Big West).

"It was not only a big match, but a hard fought match for us," 49ers' Head Coach Brian Gimmillaro said. "It was their senior night, and they were not going to roll over for us. They've (CSUF) had some big wins this season. I thought we responded well."

Cal State Fullerton opened game one with a 4-0 lead, but Long Beach State rallied back with intensity and focus. The 49ers amassed an attack percentage of .500, while committing only three errors. Long Beach State outscored the Titans by 12 points for the rest of game one.

Game two was a clash as the Titan contested every point. All tied at 23, the 49ers went on a quick spurt to go up, 29-25. Cal State Fullerton unrelentingly caught up with the 49ers after a 4-0 run. Freshman Alexis Crimes surprisingly won the game for the 49ers not with a kill, but on a service ace at 32-30.

The Titans offense reached melted down status in the final game, hitting a match low .175 percent. Long Beach subdued Fullerton's senior one last time to take the match.
Long Beach State totaled a .382 attack percentage for the match led by Crime's 16 kills. Redshirt freshman Makini Thompson finished with 14 kills and sophomore Robin Miramontes totaled 13. Senior setter, Jillian Mazzarella dished out 52 assists, while Sara Kroneberger went down for 11 digs.

With the victory, the 49ers have won at least 20 games in 17 of the last 18 seasons and hold an all-time advantage of 67-4 against Cal State Fullerton since 1966.

Long Beach traveled inland to take on the Highlanders on Saturday. The 49ers made quick work of UC Riverside winning in straight games, (30-20, 30-19, 30-22) in an hour and 16 minutes. UC Riverside's record fell to 11-18, 3-15 Big West with the loss.

"I thought we played well in both matches," Gimmillaro said. "We executed throughout and had a nice hitting performance tonight."

In back-to-back games, Long Beach State's attack percentage went over the .375 mark. The 49ers have won nine straight games with the victory over the Highlanders.

Junior outside hitter, Jamie DeKiewiet was the only player to record double-digit kills for UC Riverside with a game-high of 16.

Long Beach State's attack was more balanced, sparked by redshirt freshman Dyanne Lawlors' 13 kills and .522 attack percentage. Both Crimes and Miramontes chipped in with 12 kills.

Junior Heather Laudato finished with 15 digs and Mazzarella totaled 44 assists.

Long Beach State will host the Baden Thanksgiving Tournament on Friday against America at 2 p.m. and against Kentucky at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, the 49ers will go head-to-head against the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame at 7 p.m. All games will be played at The Pyramid.