The Beach hopes to keep streak alive

By Michelle Fithian, On-Line Forty-Niner

Thursday, October 1, 1998

No. 2 women's volleyball team faces No. 3 UCSB

The Long Beach State women's volleyball team ranks No. 2 according to the AVCA poll this week and remained perfect at 12-0 overall and 2-0 in the Big West after defeating Utah State (3-0) and Pacific (3-1) on the road last week.

The Beach sets its sights on this weekend's meetings with UC Santa Barbara on Friday and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on Saturday.

The Utah State Aggies fell to the 49ers as junior outside hitter Anja Grabovac had 14 kills and 11 digs in three games (15-4, 17-15, 15-9) in Logan.

Three other 49ers had "double-doubles," as senior middle blocker Benishe Dillard had 12 kills and 15 digs, junior outside hitter Kristy Kierulff had 10 kills and 12 digs, and junior outside hitter Brandy Barratt had 10 kills and 13 digs.

The 49ers had five players in double figures in kills as they defeated No. 10 Pacific (15-12, 10-15, 15-6, 15-5) this past Saturday in Stockton.

Barratt and Grabovac pounded 13 kills apiece, Kierulff added 11 and Dillard and junior outside hitter Veronica Walls both tallied 10.

May added eight kills, 49 assists and 10 digs.

After two tight games, the 49ers dominated Games 3 and 4. Barratt served the final five points of Game 3 and Kierulff served the final nine points of Game 4.

Kierulff finished with a career-high five aces and added 10 digs. Grabovac added 12 digs and five blocks and Dillard had seven blocks.

The Beach outdug the Tigers 64-55 and outblocked them 12-11.

The 49ers top the Big West Conference in hitting percentage (.312) and assists per game (15.53), are second in blocks per game (3.05), and are third in kills per game (16.90).

Individually, junior outside hitter Brandy Barratt and senior middle blocker Benishe Dillard are tied for first with a .406 hitting percentage and senior setter Misty May is third at .378.

Barratt ranks fifth in blocks per game (1.29), while Dillard checks in eighth (1.18). May is fourth in assists per game at 12.93 and Kierulff is fifth in aces with .40 per game.

This weekend the 49ers will battle No. 3 Santa Barbara in Golleta Friday night. The 49ers have won the last six meetings, but six of the last 12 matches between the two schools have gone five games.

The last five regular season match-ups at The Thunderdome in Santa Barbara have gone five games. Lifetime, Head Coach Brian Gimmillaro is 17-14 vs. the Gauchos, but is just 4-9 in Santa Barbara.

Of the 31 matches he has coached vs. Santa Barbara's Kathy Gregory, 11 have gone five games and 11 more have lasted four.

Even though the Gauchos need to replace first-team all-Big West setter Tanja Hart, the cupboard is by no means bare. UCSB returns a pair of All-Americans in senior middle blocker Katie Crawford and junior outside hitter Roberta Gehlke.

Senior outside hitter Erin McCown and senior defensive specialist Tania Yamashita provide leadership and stability. The Gauchos are one of four teams to have participated in all 17 NCAA Tournaments.

After battling it out in Santa Barbara, The Beach moves on to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Saturday.

The 49ers lead the series 18-8. The Beach has won the last 11 meetings with the Mustangs, including a 15-7, 15-8, 16-14 triumph last year in San Luis Obispo.

Next week the 49ers return to The Pyramid to face Cal State Fullerton Thursday night at 7:30 and UC Irvine on Saturday at 7 p.m.