THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1999

Volleyball team set for tourney

By Greg Hanson

On-Line Forty-Niner

The Long Beach State men's volleyball team will continue its quest for the national championship on Saturday in its first round Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament match against UC Irvine.

The Beach finished the regular season last weekend with wins at San Diego State and UC San Diego.

The 49ers' record stands at 17-2 in the MPSF and 20-2 overall. The 17 wins are a new school record for conference victories.

It has been a spectacular season for the 49ers so far. They finish the regular season at No. 2 in the nation.

Sophomore outside hitter David McKienzie broke the NCAA record for kills in a single match when he drilled 58 against Brigham Young on March 19.

Against Loyola Marymount on March 16, the 49ers shattered the school record for block assists with 55. The old record, set in 1994, was 42.

The Beach also matched the feat of the women's volleyball team by becoming the No. 1 team in the nation. The team achieved that status after it dethroned Brigham Young, who was previously undefeated and top-ranked.

The Beach also won the Pacific Division of the MPSF, its first division title since 1992.

The 49ers are looking for revenge against UC Irvine this Saturday. It was the Anteaters who handed the 49ers one of their two losses this season. That was the loss that ended The Beach's short reign atop the national polls.

Irvine is ranked No. 10 in the nation and has a record of 14-10.

The match is in The Pyramid this Saturday at 7 p.m. Student tickets are $1.