49ers Travel to Fullerton, Riverside
Crimes Selected BWC Player of the Week
October 16, 2006 PDF Version of this Release 14-4, 4-1 Big West
Home: 11-2 • Away: 1-2 • Neutral: 2-0
AVCA Rank: RV (27) Quickly
Long Beach State (14-4, 4-1) concluded its six match home stand with a 5-1 record, and now leave the friendly confines of the Walter Pyramid for five straight road matches, beginning with CS Fullerton (13-6, 2-4) on Friday, Oct. 20, and UC Riverside (2-17, 0-7) on Saturday, Oct. 21. LB has won a season-high four straight matches. In conference news, Alexis Crimes was selected Big West Player of the Week. It was her second such honor this season
Record Watch: Brian Gimmillaro 8 Wins Away from 600
22nd year head coach Brian Gimmillaro is now 8 wins shy of 600 for his career at Long Beach State after collecting two wins last week vs. Davis and Pacific
Big West News
Junior Alexis Crimes of the Long Beach State women's volleyball team was selected as the Big West Conference Player of the Week, as announced by the league office on Monday. This was her second such honor this season. Crimes (Rancho Cucamonga) averaged 3.33 kills and hit .500 in Long Beach State's two wins over UC Davis and Pacific last weekend from the Walter Pyramid. The 6-3 middle blocker was error-free (9-0-14) while adding three blocks in the 3-0 win over UC Davis on Friday, and hit .526 (11-1-19) in the sweep of Pacific on Saturday. For the season Crimes is averaging 3.30 kills per game (No. 8 Big West), 1.34 blocks per game (No. 3 Big West), and hitting .355 (No. 2 Big West)
Series History
LB leads the all-time series vs. CS Fullerton, 69-4, dating back to 1966. The 49ers in fact have won 46 straight meetings against the Titans dating back to the 1983 season. The last three meetings have been 3-0 sweeps. Long Beach State owns a 23-3 series advantage over the Highlanders on UC Riverside dating back to 1964. LB has won the last five meetings (all 3-0 sweeps), and 10 of the last 11
Listen Live/Watch Live
Follow the Long Beach State women's volleyball team via the Internet. You can listen live and/or watch all home matches thru a webcast. Home matches will also be archived
Match Time Changes
The Long Beach State athletic Department implemented new game time changes for home events in the Walter Pyramid. Starting Oct. 1, 2006 all 7:30 matches will be CHANGED to 7 pm. Please refer to www.longbeachstate.com for all time changes
Last Week Recap
The Long Beach State women's volleyball team concluded its six-match home stand with a 3-0 victory over Pacific on Saturday (Oct. 14) night from the Walter Pyramid. Game scores were 30-13, 30-19, 30-20. Long Beach State improved to 14-4, 4-1 Big West, and in the process claimed its fourth straight win (season-high). Quincy Verdin celebrated her 20th birthday early (her birthday is on Monday, Oct. 16) with a match-high 12 kills, while Dyanne Lawlor and Alexis Crimes both chipped in with 11 kills each. In fact Crimes hit for a .526 attack percentage (11-1-19), while Lawlor posted a .556 attack percentage (11-1-18). Talaya Whitfield had 13 digs, and Nicole Vargas posted 40 assists and five kills, while directing the 49er offense to a .393 attack percentage for the match. LB cruised to a 3-0 match sweep of UC Davis in non-conference action from the Walter Pyramid on Friday night. Game scores were 30-24, 30-12, 30-23. Long Beach State improved to 13-4 overall, while UC Davis, who will join the Big West Conference officially on July 1, 2007, fell to 2-17. LBSU has never dropped a set in all five meetings with the Aggies. Mischa Hasalikova paced The Beach with a match-best 12 kills, while Mariko Crum chipped in 11 kills. Talaya Whitfield posted a match-best 16 digs. Nicole Vargas had 39 assists and directed the 49er offense to a .302 attack percentage
Long Beach State's Big West Rankings (x) = rank
(1) hitting percentage, .243; (1) assists/g, 14.41; (2) blocks/g, 2.97; (1) kills/g, 15.80; (5) digs/g, 16.45
Returning Player Notes
Mariko Crum (Opp • 6-2 • Sr. • Phoenix, AZ/Horizon HS)
>>Averaging 2.80 Kills per Game in ‘06
• Hit .533 (9-1-15) with a career-best four assists vs. Pacific on Oct. 14
• Posted 11 kills with five digs and a season-high six blocks vs. UC Davis on Oct. 13
• Registered eight kills vs. Cal Poly on Sept. 30
• Posted a season-high 13 kills vs. Oregon on Aug. 30
• Saw action vs. Alabama St on Aug. 26 and registered seven kills on eight attempts (one error) for a .750 attack percentage
Robin Miramontes (Opp • 6-1 • Sr. • Upland, CA/Upland HS)
>>Averaging 2.77 Kills and 2.64 Digs per Game in ‘06
• Tied a season-high with 15 kills, while posting 10 digs vs. UCI on Oct. 5
• Tied a career-high with 16 digs and posted a season-high six assists vs. UCSB (9/29)
• Connected for her second double-double of the year (13 kills, 11 digs) vs. UNLV on 9/15
• Hit .391 (12 kills) vs. St. Mary's (Sept. 7)
• Had a season-high seven blocks vs. Middle Tennessee State on Sept. 1
• Posted a double-double vs. St. Mary's on Sept. 2 -- 15 kills, and a career-high 16 digs.
• Registered a double-double on opening night (11 kills and a career-high 15 digs) vs. Mizzou
Alexis Crimes (MB • 6-3 • Jr. • Rancho Cucamonga, CA/Etiwanda HS)
>>Averaging 1.34 Blocks and 3.30 Kills per Game in ‘06
>>AVCA All-America Candidate; Big West Player of the Year Candidate
>>Two-time Big West Player of the Week (Sept. 11, Oct. 16)
>>Ranks No. 3 in the BWC in Blocks per Game; No. 2 in Attack % (.355)
>>Became 13th player in school history have 1,000 or more kills on Oct. 3 vs. CSUN)
• Hit .500 (20-1-38) in two matches vs. Davis an Pacific (Oct. 13-14)
• Posted back-to-back 14 kill efforts vs. CSUN and UCI, Oct. 3 & 5
• Hit .316 with 16 kills vs. Cal Poly on Sept. 30
• Registered a season-high 21 kills to go along with 10 blocks vs. UCSB on Sept. 29
• Posted a season-high 12 blocks vs. UNLV (Sept. 15)
• Averaged 4.33 kills and 1.16 blocks per game in Long Beach State's two wins over St. Mary's and Idaho (Sept. 7-9)
• Selected to the Nebraska Invitational All-Tournament Team
• Posted a season-high 17 kills vs. Middle Tenn. St on Sept. 1
• Had a career-high five aces vs. Alabama St. on Aug. 26
• Hit .750 (13-1-16) vs. Villanova on Aug. 26
• Tallied a season-high eight blocks vs. Oregon on Aug. 30
Heather Hetzer (OH • 6-1 • Jr. • Mukilteo, WA/Kamiak HS)
>>Has 13 Kills this Season
• Had two key kills and two blocks in the five-game win over UCSB on Sept. 29
•Saw action vs. Alabama St. (8/26), and posted eight kills on 13 attempts (no errors) for a .615 attack percentage
Dyanne Lawlor (S • 6-1 • Jr. • Yorba Linda, CA/Esperanza HS)
>>Has played in 23 Games in ‘06 and has Recorded 63 Assists and 41 Kills
• Hit .556 (11-1-18) with two aces, four digs, and five blocks vs. Pacific on Oct. 14
• Had a season-high 14 kills vs. Cal poly on Sept. 30
• Saw action vs. St. Mary's on 9/7 and recorded 36 assists and four blocks in the 3-0 win
• Tallied 21 assists and two kills vs. Alabama St. on Aug. 26
Iris Murray (DS • 5-5 • Jr. • Artesia, CA/Gahr HS)
>>Averaging 4.19 Digs Per Game in ‘06
>>Ranks No. 7 in the BWC in Digs per Game
>>Has eight matches with 15+ Digs
>>longbeachstate.com "Athlete of the Week" (9/4)
• Registered a combined 37 digs (5.28/g) vs. UCI & CSUN Oct. 3&5
• Tallied 24 digs vs. UCSB on Sept. 29
• Selected to the Nebraska Invitational All-Tournament Team
• Registered a career-high 29 digs vs.St. Mary's on Sept. 2
• Posted a three match total 24 digs Aug. 25-26, for a 2.67 digs per game average, including nine digs vs. Missouri on Aug. 25
Nicole Vargas (S • 5-8 • So. • Seal Beach, CA/St. Joseph HS)
>>Averaging 12.43 Assists, 2.57 Digs per Game in ‘06
>>Ranks No. 3 in the BWC in Assists per Game
• Directed the 49er offense to a .393 attack % vs. Pacific on Oct. 14
• Posted her team-best ninth double-double with 41 assists, 13 digs vs. CSUN on Oct. 3
• Had a season-high 69 assists to go along with 13 digs vs. CP (9/30)
• Posted a career-high eight blocks vs. Mid. Tenn St on Sept. 1
• Recorded three consecutive double-doubles at the Nebraska Labor Day Invitational...Had season-highs in assists (69) and digs (13) vs. St. Mary's (9/2)
• Opened the season with 37 assists, seven digs, four blocks, three kills, and two aces vs. Missouri
Quincy Verdin (OH • 6-0 • So. • Morgan City, LA/Central Catholic HS)
>>Averaging 3.09 Kills per Game in ‘06
• Had 12 kills (.333) vs. Pacific on Oct. 14
• Hit .435 vs. St. Mary's (14 kills on 23 attempts, four errors) on Sept. 7, and hit .364 vs. Idaho (10 kills on 22 attempts, two errors) on Sept. 9
• Team-high 11 kills vs. Nebraska on Sept. 3
• Notched a season-best 16 kills vs. St. Mary's (.313 attack %) on Sept. 2
• Recorded 11 kills vs. Oregon on Aug. 30
• Posted a match-high 12 kills vs. Missouri on Aug. 25
Naomi Washington (OH • 6-3 • R-Fr. • New Orleans, LA/Warren Easton HS)
>>Averaging 2.32 Kills per Game in ‘06
• Notched 12 kills vs. CS Northridge on Oct. 3
• Posted 12 kills vs. UNLV on Sept. 15
• Did not commit an attack error vs. Nebraska (8-0-20) on Sept. 3
• Posted a career-high 20 kills on a career-high 57 attempts vs. St. Mary's on Sept. 2
• Had career-highs in blocks (5) and digs (5) vs. SMC on Sept. 2
• Averaged 2.11 kills and 0.89 blocks per game, including seven kill performance vs. Mizzou on Aug. 25.
Newcomer Notables
Michaela "Mischa" Hasalikova made her 49er debut vs. Missouri with six kills, and followed that up with an 11 kill performance vs. Alabama St. on Aug. 26...Mischa registered a career-high nine blocks vs. Middle Tenn St. on Sept. 1...She registered a career-best 21 kills vs. UCSB on Sept. 15...Hasalikova is hitting .314 on the season (No. 7 Big West), and ranks No. 7 in the Big West in blocks per game (1.22)...Sarah Hudson registered three aces vs. Alabama St. on Aug. 26, and recorded a career-high 11 digs vs. St. Mary's on Sept. 2...Cynthia Buggs (team-best 16 aces) recorded a personal-best four aces vs. Pacific on Oct. 14...Had three aces vs. Oregon on Aug. 30, and posted 14 digs vs. St. Mary's on Sept. 2...Talaya Whitfield posted career-highs in digs (22) and kills (9) vs. Cal Poly on Sept. 30...she is averaging 2.88 digs per game (42 games played).
49ers on CSTV
CSTV (College Sports Television) released its 2006 women's volleyball television schedule, and it features Long Beach State at UC Santa Barbara on October 28.
The Gimmillaro File
Regarded as one of the top volleyball minds in the country, Brian Gimmillaro is in his 22nd season with The Beach. The Long Beach State graduate has continually taken the 49ers to new heights as one of the winningest and most successful volleyball programs over the past two decades. Because of Gimmillaro, Long Beach State has earned a place among the nation's elite. With three National Championships, eight Final Fours, 13 NCAA Regionals and 20 NCAA Tournaments to his credit, it is no wonder that Long Beach State enters every season as a national contender. Over the past 11 seasons, LBSU has won a National title, and has appeared in four Final Fours and six NCAA Regionals. Over that time, the team record is an impressive 300-51, including a combined 143-34 mark over the last six seasons. Thru the 2006 campaign, Gimmillaro has amassed a striking .810 winning percentage (592-139) over 22 seasons. Against one of the toughest conferences in the the country, the Big West, LBSU has won 78 percent (287-81) of their matches, including nine conference crowns. In 18 of the last 19 seasons, Gimmillaro's teams have won at least 20 matches, and in eight of the last 15 years, the team has won at least 30 matches. The 2005 squad won the Big West Conference Championship (co) and produced five all-conference selections (four first-team honors). Gimmillaro was selected as the Co-Coach of the Year. LBSU advanced to its 19th straight NCAA Playoff as well.
LB Picked to Repeat
The Long Beach State women's volleyball team earned six first-place votes and a total of 61 points to become the favorite to win the Big West Conference title, according to the pre-season coaches poll, released in early August. The 49ers will look to defend their Big West crown, when they enter the 2006 campaign with four returning starters from a squad that went 25-7 (12-2 in conference) and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season. Junior Alexis Crimes (Rancho Cucamonga) headlines the returnees, as the 6-3 middle blocker earned her second straight first-team All-Big West selection last season. She averaged 3.62 kills and 1.44 blocks per game as a sophomore. The 2006 roster features just two seniors, Mariko Crum (Phoenix, AZ) and Robin Miramontes (Upland). Crum was a Big West Honorable Mention last year, while Miramontes averaged over three kills per game in '05. Long Beach State has won nine conference titles since 1991. Finishing second in the pre-season coaches poll was Cal Poly, followed by UC Santa Barbara, Pacific, CS Fullerton, UC Irvine, CS Northridge, and UC Riverside.
Around the Big West (Provided by the League Office, As of 10/16)
On the verge of posting their best conference start in program history, the No. 19 Cal Poly Mustangs have an unblemished 6-0 record in Big West play. Their best league opening was back in 1985 when they began the Pacific Coast Athletic Association campaign 7-0. This week the Mustangs travel to Pacific (10/19) and Cal State Northridge (10/21) to face both the Tigers and the Matadors for the first time this season. Pacific owns the series over the Mustangs at 43-9, while CSUN holds a 20-16 edge over Cal Poly.
The Matadors, who stand in second place in the league with a 5-1 record, have posted their best Big West start since joining the conference in 2001. This week Cal State Northridge faces their toughest challenge of its schedule as they host nationally-ranked Cal Poly and defending co-champions UC Santa Barbara. The Matadors are only 3-21 against the Gauchos, with their last win coming in 2003.
Sitting in third place in the conference with a 4-1 record are the Long Beach State 49ers, who carry a four-match win streak into their five-contest road trip that begins this weekend at Cal State Fullerton (10/20) and UC Riverside (10/21). Over the years LBSU has dominated both teams with the 49ers leading the Titan series 69-4 and the Highlander matchup 23-3. In fact, Cal State Fullerton is winless against the 49ers since Brian Gimmilaro took over the reigns at LBSU in 1984.
Battling for fourth place are UC Santa Barbara and Pacific, who have both tallied a 3-3 record in league play. The two teams face off Saturday evening at the Alex G. Spanos Center. Prior to Saturday evening's contest, the Tigers host Cal Poly for a Thursday night showdown, while the Gauchos hit the road for a matchup against Cal State Northridge before visiting the Tigers in Stockton, Calif.
After posting a an 11-1 record in non-conference action, Cal State Fullerton has struggled since entering Big West play as they have only won two of their past seven matches. The Titans look to turn things around as they host Long Beach State (10/20) and UC Irvine (10/21) this week.
Prior to the contest against the Titans, UC Irvine travels to UC Riverside for a battle of two winless teams in league play. The Anteaters are 0-4, while the Highlanders are 0-7 in Big West competition. UC Riverside also hosts Long Beach State on Saturday night.
The 2006 49ers
Anchoring the middle blocker position will be junior Alexis Crimes. "Alexis is certainly one of the premier middles in the country in terms of physical ability and attitude," stated Gimmillaro. Last season, Crimes earned first team All-Big West, AVCA All-West Region, and AVCA All-America Honorable Mention selections. She averaged 3.62 kills and 1.44 blocks per game (No. 1 in the Big West), with a .378 attack percentage (No. 1 in the Big West). Crimes exploded on the national scene in 2004 when she was selected as a third team AVCA All-American (one of three freshman in the country to garner All-America honors). the AVCA West Region Freshman of the Year, AVCA All-West Region. Crimes dominated the league that year as well, earning Big West Conference Freshman of the Year honors (she joined Misty May as the second 49er to earn that distinction), and first team all-conference honors (she was the only freshman on the first team ballot). Crimes averaged 3.88 kills and 1.25 blocks per game with a .374 attack percentage in her first season in a 49er uniform.
A new face joins Crimes at the middle blocker position – the 6-4 Michaela Hasalikova. "Mischa (nickname) is a great player and a perfect compliment to Alexis as our other middle," noted Gimmillaro. "Mischa brings experience and a nice athletic ability to the position." Hasalikova earned championships with Masaryks University (located in Brno) in the Women's 1st Liga in 2003-04 and 2005-06, and was a juniors champion in 2001-02.
Gimmillaro will look to platoon sophomore Quincy Verdin, junior Heather Hetzer, and redshirt freshman Naomi Washington on the left side in '06. "Although lacking playing experience, all three bring great physical ability to the offense," stated Gimmillaro. Verdin played in 27 games in her first season at LBSU and averaged 3.30 kills per game, while Hetzer has shown to be a formidable option, averaging nearly 2.50 kills per game in her career. Washington showed signs of great improvement during spring workouts after her redshirt season in '05.
Securing the right side will be seniors Mariko Crum and Robin Miramontes, both of whom Gimmillaro described as skilled and experienced. Crum was a 2005 Big West Honorable selection, and averaged 2.22 kills and 1.01 blocks (No. 8 in the Big West) per game in '05. Her .298 attack percentage ranked ninth in the league as well. Miramontes, meanwhile, averaged a career-best 3.18 kills per game in 2005.
Just like last season, both setters, Dyanne Lawlor and Nicole Vargas, may play extensively. "Both of them greatly improved in skill level and strength in the off-season workouts," said Gimmillaro. Lawlor was a Big West Player of the Week (11/21) and averaged 12.85 assists and 1.81 digs per game last season. Her 12.85 assists per game was the ninth highest per-game average for a single season in school history. Vargas averaged 12.56 assists and 2.80 digs per game in her first season as a 49er, and finished 2005 with seven double-doubles.
The 49ers will try to replace an experienced back row (Heather Laudato, Sara Kroneberger, and Taylor Peyton) with junior veterans Iris Murray, Cynthia Buggs, and Sarah Hudson. "Iris will anchor the back row," explained Gimmillaro. "She will receive excellent support from Sarah and Cynthia." Murray played in 22 games last season and averaged 2.32 digs per game. Buggs transferred from Tennessee and averaged 3.09 digs per game with the Volunteers in '04, and also tallied 31 aces that season (UT went 32-3 in 2004). Hudson, meanwhile, transferred from Golden West College where she was on two state championship teams (2003 and 2004), and she earned first-team all-conference and all-state tournament team selections in 2004.
Long Beach State will look to defend its Big West title with a ninth overall in program history when conference play begins Sept. 29 vs. UC Santa Barbara. The 49ers were the Big West Conference pre-season favorites to repeat as champions.
As always, there is a sense of excitement before every season arrives, and for Gimmillaro and company, this team has the potential to keep fans smiling as they make another NCAA post-season run.
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