Women make it 10 in a row

By Michelle Fithian, On-Line Forty-Niner

Monday, September 21, 1998

Santa Barbara - The Long Beach State women's volleyball team notched up wins 8,9, and 10, sweeping three matches this weekend at the Judy Belmo Classic at UC Santa Barbara.

Led by junior outside hitter Anja Grabovac, The Beach (10-0) dominated Santa Clara Saturday afternoon 15-2, 15-8, 15-2.

Grabovac, who had been suffering from an abdominal strain, nailed a career-high 17 kills. She racked up nine kills in the second game alone.

The Beach had more hits (.433), blocks (10-2) and digs (37-23) than the Broncos, who fell to a record of 6-3.

However, The Beach suffered a loss when senior outside hitter Jessica Alvarado was taken out of the first game due to a possible stress fracture in her left leg. The team's kill leader will have X-rays taken this week.

Senior hitter Misty May had three kills and 35 assists against the Broncos.

Senior middle blocker Benishe Dillard posted 11 kills in the match for The Beach. Dillard was named co-mvp of the tournament, along with UC Santa Barbara's Roberta Gehlke.

In Friday's match against Peperdine, Dillard hit a remarkable .682 and racked up 16 kills. The Beach swept the Waves 15-12, 15-8, 15-6.

"Benishe played exceptionally well," 49er Head Coach Brian Gimmillaro said.

Also making a mark against Peperdine was May, who tallied her second triple-double of the season, with 10 kills, 10 digs and 37 assists.

"Misty also played exceptionally well," Gimmillaro said.

In Friday's second match, The Beach rolled past Florida State 15-7, 15-5, 15-4.

The Beach, which is ranked No. 1 by Volleyball Magazine and No. 2 in the USA Today/AVCA poll, will continue on the road, opening up Big West Conference play against Utah State Thursday.