49ers finish Big West play undefeated

By Michelle Fithian, Online Forty-Niner

Monday, November 16, 1998

The Long Beach State women's volleyball team clinched the Big West Western Division title after beating University of Pacific on Saturday and the University of Nevada on Thursday.

Thursday's win against Nevada gave The Beach the division title for the third consecutive year, and The Beach remains No. 1 in both the AVCA and Volleyball Magazine polls for the sixth week in a row.

"We still have a lot of things to work on," said senior middle blocker Benishe Dillard. "Although, it's really nice to win in three."

On Saturday, The Beach set another record by extending its record for the most consecutive wins at home from 34 to 36 with the win against Pacific.

A total of 3,790 screaming fans filled The Pyramid on Saturday night to watch The Beach sweep Pacific in three straight 15-12, 15-9, 17-15. The Beach posted big numbers, tallying 73 kills, compared with the Tigers' 55, while hitting .264 for the match.

Three 49ers finished the game with "double-doubles," including senior setter Misty May, who recorded her sixth double-double of the season and had 54 assists, 18 digs, seven kills and four block assists.

In her third week back from an injury, senior outside hitter Jessica Alvarado earned her fourth double-double this season and had 12 kills and 12 digs.

"She's playing hurt and she's playing hard," 49er Head Coach Brian Gimmillaro said of Alvarado.

The Beach dominated Nevada on Thursday, defeating them in three 15-7, 15-8, 15-8. May recorded her fourth "triple-double" of the season and had 38 assists, 12 digs and 10 kills, while hitting .600.

The Beach will face the Wolf Pack of Nevada at 7:30 p.m. Friday in The Pyramid in the Big West Championship match.