Quick Turnaround: 49ers Face CSUN Tomorrow; UCI on Thursday
LBSU Looking to Snap Matador Win Streak; Crimes Needs 12 Kills for 1,000
October 2, 2006 PDF VERSION of this RELEASE
10-4, 1-1 Big West
Home: 7-2 • Away: 1-2 • Neutral: 2-0
AVCA Rank: RV (14)
Quickly
Long Beach State (10-4, 1-1) returns to the court quickly in conference action when it hosts CS Northridge (9-4, 3-0) on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 7 pm, and UC Irvine (4-11, 0-2) on Thursday, Oct. 5 at 7 pm. CSUN has won six straight matches and are tied with Cal Poly atop the Big West standings. UC Irvine has struggled this season, and have lost five of its last six matches. The LB-CSUN match will air on Charter Communications on a tape-delay broadcast later in the week. Charter can be found on Channel 3 in the Long Beach/Signal Hill areas. Details on when the match will air will be released later.
Record Watch: Alexis Crimes Nearing 1,000 Kills
Junior Alexis Crimes needs just 12 kills tomorrow night vs. the Matadors to become the 13th player in school history to record 1,000 or more career kills.
Series History
LB leads the all-time series vs. CS Northridge, 38-16, dating back to 1964. The 49ers have won two straight over the Matadors, and are 3-2 in its last five meetings since 2003. The 49ers are 52-6 all-time vs. UCI since 1973, and have won three straight meetings since the 2004 season.
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 20th-ranked Cal Poly Mustangs escaped the Walter Pyramid with a 3-2 win over host Long Beach State on Saturday night in Big West Conference action. Game scores were 30-20, 30-19, 20-30, 35-37, 17-15 in favor of the Mustangs. The 49ers fought to stay alive in the match and forced a fifth and deciding game with a 37-35 game four victory. Long Beach State fought off three match points, and eventually tied the game at 35-35 after a Cal Poly attack error. A second consecutive attack error, followed by a Mischa Hasalikova kill proved true for LBSU to cap off the game four victory. Cal Poly fought off two match points (14-12, 14-13) to tie the fifth set at 14-14 after a 49er attack error, and won the game, 17-15 after a block by Jaclyn Houston. The 49ers opened conference play with a gritty five-game victory over UC Santa Barbara in front of a season-high 2,266 fans at the Walter Pyramid on Friday night. Game scores were 19-30, 30-26, 30-27, 23-30, 15-12. Mischa Hasalikova and Alexis Crimes both had 21 kills to lead Long Beach State, while Robin Miramontes checked in with her third double-double of the season (13 kills, and a career-high 16 digs). Nicole Vargas registered her seventh double-double of the year with 61 assists and 13 digs. Talaya Whitfield posted 18 digs, and Iris Murray posted a match-best 24 digs.
Returning Player Notes
Mariko Crum (Opp • 6-2 • Sr. • Phoenix, AZ/Horizon HS)
>>Averaging 2.57 Kills per Game in ‘06
• 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 2.75 Kills and 2.67 Digs per Game in ‘06
• 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 1.45 Blocks and 3.20 Kills per Game in ‘06
>>AVCA All-America Candidate; Big West Player of the Year Candidate
>>Big West Player of the Week (Sept. 11)
>>Ranks No. 1 in the BWC in Blocks per Game; No. 6 in Attack % (.320)
>>Has 988 Career Kills (12 kills away from 1,000; Only 12 players in school history have 1,000 or more kills)
• 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 12 Kills this Season
• Had two key kills and two blocks in the fifth set 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 15 Games in ‘06 and has Recorded 63 Assists and 20 Kills
• 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 4.08 Digs Per Game in ‘06
>>Ranks No. 6 in the BWC in Digs per Game
>>Has six matches with 15+ Digs
>>longbeachstate.com "Athlete of the Week" (9/4)
• 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 12.17 Assists, 2.60 Digs, and 0.85 Blocks per Game in ‘06
>>Ranks No. 3 in the BWC in Assists per Game
• 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)
• Directed the 49er offense to a .314 attack percentage vs. Villanova, while registering 43 assists and two aces on Aug. 26
• 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
• 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 2.28 Kills per Game in ‘06
• 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
• Had six kills and three blocks vs. Oregon on Aug. 30
• 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 .318 on the season (No. 7 Big West), and ranks No. 7 in the Big West in blocks per game (1.18)...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 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
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 296-51, including a combined 139-34 mark over the last six seasons. Thru the 2006 campaign, Gimmillaro has amassed a striking .808 winning percentage (588-139) over 22 seasons. Against one of the toughest conferences in the the country, the Big West, LBSU has won 78 percent (283-81) 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 10/2)
A perfect 3-0 record in Big West play is what No. 20 Cal Poly and Cal State Northridge are strutting at the top of the leaderboard. The unblemished record is the first time in school history that the Mustangs have opened Big West action with three consecutive victories, while this is CSUN's second 3-0 start since joining the Big West.
The Mustangs, riding a four-match win streak, return home to welcome UC Riverside and Cal State Fullerton to San Luis Obispo, Calif. Friday's showdown with the Highlanders is only Cal Poly's second home match of the season. Last year the Mustangs used their home-court advantage to post a 10-1 record at Mott Gym.
The Matadors will try to keep their perfect record intact as they carry a six-match win streak with them Tuesday night at Long Beach State. The 49ers hold a 38-16 edge over Cal State Northridge. Following the Matador-49er matchup, CSUN returns home for a non-conference contest against UC Davis on Saturday night.
Sitting in third place in the conference with a 2-1 record are the Cal State Fullerton Titans, who face their toughest week of the season so far with road matches at defending Big West co-champion UC Santa Barbara and No. 20 Cal Poly. Saturday's contest against the Mustangs will be Cal State Fullerton's first meeting against a top 25 team this year.
As the preseason favorite to repeat as conference champions, Long Beach State opened league play with a 1-1 record. After downing UC Santa Barbara, the 49ers fell to Cal Poly in a five-game thriller. This week they look to rebound when they entertain Cal State Northridge (10/3) and UC Irvine (10/5) at The Walter Pyramid.
UC Santa Barbara and Pacific have both posted a 1-2 league record to kick-off conference play. This week the Gauchos host Cal State Fullerton and UC Riverside, while the Tigers play a non-conference match at UC Davis before traveling to UC Irvine.
Still looking for their first Big West victory are the Anteaters of UC Irvine and the UC Riverside Highlanders. While UCR faces a tough week with road contests at Cal Poly and UC Santa Barbara, UCI travels to LBSU before returning home to welcome the Pacific Tigers.
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. |
