The battle cry of the Long Beach State women's volleyball team was simply put by Jenn Snyder after last Saturday's second round NCAA Playoff victory over Loyola Marymount:
"One down, four to go."
Minutes after a decisive win over the Lions, the senior was quick to point to the two matches the 49ers have this weekend.
The matches could give them a one-way ticket to Spokane, Wash. Where two more matches which could mean a National Championship.
With a victory over Washington in Friday night's 8:00 p.m. opening round of the Pacific Regional at The Pyramid, the top-ranked 49ers (31-1) will advance to Saturday's final and face either USC or Nebraska. The winner earns a trip to the Final Four.
"Washington is a physically tough team," said 49er Head Coach Brian Gimmillaro. "They've been together for a long time."
The 13th-ranked Huskies (20-9) have seven seniors on their roster, and a dominating row of middle blockers which Gimmillaro is not looking past.
"Their starting middle is one of the best in the country," he said. "They are a good blocking team. They rely on their block."
The 49ers will rely on junior setter Misty May, who had 34 assists, four kills, 11 digs and three blocks against LMU.
For the second year in a row, May earned Big West Conference Player of the Year honors. She was also named Most Valuable Player of the Big West Conference Tournament and AVCA Divsion I National Player of the Week for the week of Nov. 24.
"Misty delivers the mail to the right addresses at the right time," said Washington Head Coach Bill Neville.
Washington's third round appearance is its deepest since 1988.
"We're the new kids on the block in the tournament," he said. "We're not intimidated by playing Long Beach in The Pyramid. IÕm approaching this as a challenge."
A challenge it could surely be, since the 49ers have been playing in front of record crowds this season.
"We need the help and support," Gimmillaro said. "If there's anything I want, it's us going through the [road to the] Final Four so our fans can see us and help us.