49ers Host Thanksgiving Tournament
Senior Night and NCAA Selection Show this Weekend as Well
November 20, 2006 PDF VERSION of this RELEASE 22-5, 12-2 Big West
Home: 13-2 • Away: 7-3 • Neutral: 2-0
AVCA Rank: RV (41) Quickly
Long Beach State (22-5) wrapped up conference play with a 12-2 record, and will now host its annual Baden Thanksgiving Classic, Nov. 24-25 in the Walter Pyramid. The 49ers welcome Virginia Commonwealth, Albany, and Western Michigan, as well as UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara. LB will not play its conference foes in the tournament. Long Beach State nearly cracked the AVCA Top-25 Poll this week after it was released on Monday. The 49ers received 41 votes -- 12 shy of Duke who received 53 votes and a No. 25 ranking Tournament Schedule
Friday, Nov. 24
Noon: Albany vs. UCSB
5 pm: WMU vs. UCSB
7 pm: 49ers vs. Va. Commonwealth Saturday, Nov. 25
1 pm: Va. Commonwealth vs. WMU
3 pm: 49ers vs. Albany
5 pm: UC Irvine vs. Va. Commonwealth
7:30 pm: 49ers vs. WMU
Senior Night
Long Beach State will honor its two seniors, Mariko Crum and Robin Miramontes, along with junior Heather Hetzer on Saturday, Nov. 25. Hetzer is graduating in May of ‘07 and plans on entering Law School in the fall of next year
NCAA Tournament Selection Show Information
The NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship 64-team bracket will be announced on ESPNEWS between 3 and 3:30 p.m. Eastern time (12-12:30 Pacific) Sunday, November 26 on ESPNEWS (ESPNEWS can be found on DirecTV at channel 207 and on Dish Network at channel 142)
Crimes Earns Player of the Week Honors
Alexis Crimes was selected as the Big West Conference Player of the Week for the third time this season, as announced by the league office on Monday. Crimes also earned this weekly distinction in September and October. The 6-3 middle blocker from Rancho Cucamonga averaged 5.29 kills and 1.14 blocks per game, while hitting .508 (37-4-65) in Long Beach State's two road wins over CS Northridge and Pacific last weekend. Crimes posted 20 kills and six blocks in the four-game win over CS Northridge on Thursday (Nov. 16) and had 17 kills on 25 swings (no errors) for a .680 attack percentage in LBSU's sweep of Pacific on Saturday. For the season Crimes is averaging 3.66 kills and 1.34 blocks per game
Gimmillaro Gets No. 600
22nd year head coach Brian Gimmillaro earned career victory No. 600 on Saturday, Nov. 18, after the 49ers dispatched the Pacific Tigers in three games. "It's an honor to get No. 600," said Gimmillaro. "I wish we could have done it at home. But it makes me think back to the thousands of memories over the years and the great players that have come through this program, and the great support I've received from the university. It's a nice feeling."
Gimmillaro Milestone Wins
1st Win: Sept. 7, 1985
100th Win: Oct. 24, 1989
200th Win: Oct. 30, 1992
300th Win: Sept. 14, 1996
400th Win: Sept. 10, 1999
500th Win: Oct. 19, 2002
600th Win: Nov. 18, 2006
Another 49er Team Record
Long Beach State's 3-0 win over CS Fullerton on Nov. 11 marked the 19th time (in the last 20 seasons) that Long Beach State has won 20 or more matches in a season.
Series History
LB has never faced Albany or Virginia Commonwealth. The 49ers defeated Western Michigan 2-0 in their only meeting back in 1972
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. The one exception this week is the Western Michigan match on Saturday, Nov. 25 -- that match is slated for 7:30 pm
Last Week Recap
22nd year Head Coach Brian Gimmillaro collected career victory No. 600 after the Long Beach State women's volleyball team defeated the Pacific Tigers 3-0 in the final conference match on Saturday night in the Spanos Center. Game scores were 30-28, 30-27, 30-21. Long Beach State improved to 22-5, 12-2 Big West, while Pacific fell to 7-20, 3-11 Big West. The 49ers will finish in second place in the Big West standings. Alexis Crimes led the offensive charge for the 49ers, registering 17 kills on 25 swings and no errors for a .680 attack percentage. Crimes also had two blocks. Mariko Crum notched her second consecutive double-double with 11 kills and a career-high 11 digs. Talaya Whitfield posted a team-high 13 digs and Iris Murray followed with 12 digs.
Alexis Crimes had 20 kills and Brian Gimmillaro reached career win No. 599 after Long Beach State's 3-1 victory over the CS Northridge Matadors on Thursday night in the Matadome. Game scores were 30-18, 30-27, 32-34, 30-28. The 49ers improved to 21-5, 11-2 Big West, while CS Northridge fell to 15-11, 6-6 Big West. Mischa Hasalikova posted 12 kills, Mariko Crum contributed 11 kills and 10 digs for her first double-double of the season, and Dyanne Lawlor and Robin Miramontes had 10 kills each to highlight the statistical kill leaders for The Beach. Iris Murray had a team-high 19 digs, with Talaya Whitfield right behind her with 18 scoops. Cynthia Buggs had 10 digs as well. The 49ers hit .325 for the night and posted 73 total digs and out-blocked CSUN, 12-4.
Long Beach State's Big West Rankings (x) = Rank
(1) hitting percentage, .252; (1) assists/g, 14.65; (2) blocks/g, 2.92; (1) kills/g, 16.05; (2) opponent hitting percentage, .151; (5) digs/g, 16.34
Returning Player Notes
Mariko Crum (Opp • 6-2 • Sr. • Phoenix, AZ/Horizon HS)
>>Averaging 2.73 Kills per Game in ‘06
• Posted back-to-back double-doubles at CSUN (11 kills, 10 digs) on Nov. 16 and 11 kills and 11 digs at Pacific on Nov. 18
• Had seven kills and six blocks vs. Riverside on Nov. 10
• Hit .714 (11-1-14) with a career-high five assists at UC Irvine on Nov. 4
• Hit .429 (9-0-21) with four assists and eight digs at UC Riverside on Oct. 21
• Hit .533 (9-1-15) 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 2.49 Kills and 2.34 Digs per Game in ‘06
• Had 10 kills at CS Northridge on Nov. 16
• 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 15 digs) vs. Mizzou
Alexis Crimes (MB • 6-3 • Jr. • Rancho Cucamonga, CA/Etiwanda HS)
>>Averaging 1.34 Blocks and 3.66 Kills per Game in ‘06
>>AVCA All-America Candidate; Big West Player of the Year Candidate
>>Three-time Big West Player of the Week (Sept. 11, Oct. 16, Nov. 20)
>>Ranks No. 3 in the BWC in Blocks per Game; No. 2 in Attack % (.379)
>>Became 13th player in school history have 1,000 or more kills on Oct. 3 vs. CSUN) -- Has 1,125
•Hit .508 and averaged 5.29 kills per game while committing only four errors vs. CSUN and Pacific (Nov. 16-18)
• Hit .449 and averaged 4.33 kills per game in LB's two wins over UCR and CSUF (Nov. 10-11)
• Tallied a match-high 13 kills with six blocks (3 solo) at UCI on Nov. 4
• Recorded 19 kills in Long Beach State's 3-0 win at UCSB on Oct. 28
• Hit .442 and averaged 4.00 kills per game in two wins over CSUF/UCR (Oct. 20-21)
• 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 eight blocks vs. Oregon on Aug. 30
Heather Hetzer (OH • 6-1 • Jr. • Mukilteo, WA/Kamiak HS)
>>Has 35 Kills this Season
• Had seven kills vs. CS Fullerton on Nov. 11
• Chipped in seven kills with season-highs in digs (2) and blocks (3) at UC Irvine on Nov. 4
• Saw action in game three at Riverside (Oct. 21) and had two kills
• 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 (OH/S • 6-1 • Jr. • Yorba Linda, CA/Esperanza HS)
>>Has played in 51 Games in ‘06 and has Recorded 65 Assists and 114 Kills
• Tied a career-high four aces with 10 kills at CSUN on Nov. 16
• Posted a career-best four aces and a season-high 10 digs vs. CS Fullerton on Nov. 11
• Had three service aces at UCSB on Oct. 28
• Registered a match-high 13 kills at Riverside (Oct. 21)
• 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 3.96 Digs Per Game in ‘06
>>Ranks No. 7 in the BWC in Digs per Game
>>Has 10 matches with 15+ Digs
>>longbeachstate.com "Athlete of the Week" (9/4)
• Had 19 digs at CS Northridge on Nov. 16
• Post 20 digs at Cal Poly on Oct. 27
• 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 12.51 Assists, 2.38 Digs per Game in ‘06
>>Ranks No. 2 in the BWC in Assists per Game
>>Team-High 28 Aces
• Had five kills on 13 swings, no errors, for a .385 attack percentage with 58 assists at CS Northridge on Nov. 16
• Tied a career-best four aces vs. Riverside on Nov. 10
• Had a career-best eight kills (8-0-13) and three aces, while directing the 49er offense to a .346 attack % at UC Irvine on Nov. 4
• Posted her 10th double-double with 38 assists and 11 digs at CS Fullerton on Oct. 20
• 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 2.94 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 2.30 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...Mischa hit .550 *12-1-20) at CS Northridge on Nov. 16...Hasalikova is hitting .320 on the season (No. 5 Big West), and ranks No. 8 in the Big West in blocks per game (1.16)...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 (27 aces this season) 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 ranks No. 8 in the Big West in digs per game (3.34) in 70 games played...Whitfield has 234 total digs...Whitfield has recorded double figures in digs in 13 matches
49ers on CSTV
CSTV (College Sports Television) released its 2006 women's volleyball television schedule, and it featured Long Beach State at UC Santa Barbara on October 28. The match officially aired on a tape-delay basis on Sunday, Oct. 29. The 49ers defeated the Gauchos, 3-0.
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 308-52, including a combined 151-35 mark over the last six seasons. Thru the 2006 campaign, Gimmillaro has amassed a striking .811 winning percentage (600-140) over 22 seasons. Against one of the toughest conferences in the the country, the Big West, LBSU has won 78 percent (294-82) of their matches, including nine conference crowns. In 19 of the last 20 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.
Around the Big West (Provided by the League Office, As of 11/20)
Thanksgiving Tournaments Conclude Regular Season:
Long Beach State and Pacific will host their annual Thanksgiving Tournaments to wrap-up the 2006 season. Along with LBSU, Big West foes UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara will also be competing in the Baden Thanksgiving Tournament scheduled for November 24-25. The trio of schools are joined by Albany, Western Michigan and Virginia Commonwealth. The Tigers welcome Portland State, Houston and San Francisco to the Alex G. Spanos Center for the 28th Annual Bankers Classic. The two-day event begins on Friday, Nov. 24 and concludes on Saturday, Nov. 25. Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Northridge finish their seasons on Tuesday, Nov. 21 as the Titans travel to San Diego and the Matadors visit LMU. NCAA-Bound Cal Poly remains idle until the Tournament begins the following week (11/30-12/3) and UC Riverside ended its season back on Friday, Nov. 17.
Cal Poly Upsets Defending Champions To Claim Conference Title: In just his second year at the helm of the Mustangs squad, Head Coach Jon Stevenson guided Cal Poly to its first conference title in 22 years after posting a 13-1 Big West record. With the crown, the Mustangs earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Defending Co-Champions, Long Beach State and UC Santa Barbara, finished second and third in the league. This is the first time in five years that the Gauchos didn't win at least a share of the conference title.
Cal State Northridge and UC Irvine tied for fourth with a 7-7 record, while the Cal State Fullerton Titans posted a 6-8 league record to claim the sixth spot. Pacific followed in seventh place at 3-11 with UC Riverside rounding out the eight-team field with a 0-14 record.
NCAA Volleyball Selection Show: Sunday, Nov. 26 the NCAA will announce the 64-team field for the 2006 Women's Volleyball NCAA Tournament. The selection show will air between 12:00 and 12:30 p.m. (PST) on ESPNEWS. Immediately following the ESPNEWS announcement, the bracket can be found at www.ncaasports.com. This year's Final Four will be held in Omaha, Neb., on December 14-16.
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.
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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