No. 25 Long Beach State Travels North
LB Enters Top-25 for the First Time this Season
September 18, 2006 PDF VERSION of this RELEASE 8-2, 0-0 Big West
Home: 6-1 • Away: 0-1 • Neutral: 2-0
AVCA Rank: 25 Quickly
No. 25-ranked Long Beach State (8-2) has two more matches before the start of conference play (Sept. 29), when it travels north for a pair of matches at Sacramento State (12-3) on Sept. 21, and UC Davis (1-9) on Sept. 23. There will be no Internet Broadcast of the matches this week. UC Davis will provide GameTracker (www.ucdavisaggies.com), while Sacramento State will have live audio at http://www.hornetsports.com/audio
LB Enters Top-25
Long Beach State entered the AVCA Top-25 Poll (No. 25) for the first time this season after its 3-1 win over UNLV on Friday, Sept. 15. With another pair of wins, the 49ers would have a Top-25 showdown with conference foe Cal Poly on Sept. 30 at home.
Series History
The 49ers are undefeated in two meetings vs. Sacramento State, with the most recent victory coming last season (Aug. 27) in a five-game thriller at The Walter Pyramid. The Aggies, who become a Big West member next season are winless vs. LB in three meetings since the ‘04 season. LB has swept Davis all three meetings.
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's Highlights
Long Beach State bounced back from an 0-1 match deficit to defeat UNLV in four games from the Walter Pyramid. Alexis Crimes recorded a season-high 12 blocks, and Mischa Hasalikova hit .542. Game scores were 30-32, 30-19, 30-16, 30-19. The win snapped UNLV's six match-win streak. Hasalikova posted a career-best 15 kills on 24 swings (two errors), while Crimes added 10 kills. Nicole Vargas registered her fifth double-double of the season with 50 assists and 13 digs, while directing the 49er offense to a .315 hitting percentage. Robin Miramontes posted her second double-double of the season with 13 kills and 11 digs. Naomi Washington and Quincy Verdin combined for 22 kills, and Iris Murray tallied a team-best 14 digs.
Returning Player Notes
Mariko Crum (Opp • 6-2 • Sr. • Phoenix, AZ/Horizon HS)
>>Averaging 3.00 Kills per Game in ‘06
• Saw action vs. Alabama St on Aug. 26 and registered seven kills on eight attempts (one error) for a .750 attack percentage
• Posted a season-high 13 kills vs. Oregon on Aug. 30
Robin Miramontes (Opp • 6-1 • Sr. • Upland, CA/Upland HS)
>>Averaging 2.86 Kills and 2.69 Digs per Game in ‘06
• Registered a double-double on opening night (11 kills and a career-high 15 digs) vs. Mizzou
• Posted a double-double vs. St. Mary's on Sept. 2 -- 15 kills, and a career-high 16 digs.
• Had a season-high seven blocks vs. Middle Tennessee State on Sept. 1
• Hit .391 (12 kills) vs. St. Mary's (Sept. 7)
• Connected for her second double-double of the year (13 kills, 11 digs) vs. UNLV on 9/15
Alexis Crimes (MB • 6-3 • Jr. • Rancho Cucamonga, CA/Etiwanda HS)
>>Averaging 1.57 Blocks and 3.00 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. 7 in Attack % (.302)
>>Has 930 Career Kills (70 kills away from 1,000; Only 12 players in school history have 1,000 or more kills)
• 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
• Posted a season-high 17 kills vs. Middle Tenn. St on Sept. 1
• Selected to the Nebraska Invitational All-Tournament Team
• 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)
• Posted a season-high 12 blocks vs. UNLV (Sept. 15)
Heather Hetzer (OH • 6-1 • Jr. • Mukilteo, WA/Kamiak HS)
>>Has Nine Kills this Season
•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 Seven Games in ‘06 and has Recorded 57 Assists
• Tallied 21 assists and two kills vs. Alabama St. on Aug. 26
• Saw action vs. St. Mary's on 9/7 and recorded 36 assists and four blocks in the 3-0 win
Iris Murray (DS • 5-5 • Jr. • Artesia, CA/Gahr HS)
>>Averaging 3.89 Digs Per Game in ‘06
>>Ranks No. 6 in the BWC in Digs per Game
>>longbeachstate.com "Athlete of the Week" (9/4)
• 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
• Registered a career-high 29 digs vs.St. Mary's on Sept. 2
• Selected to the Nebraska Invitational All-Tournament Team
Nicole Vargas (S • 5-8 • So. • Seal Beach, CA/St. Joseph HS)
>>Averaging 11.81 Assists, 2.29 Digs, and 1.00 Blocks per Game in ‘06
>>Ranks No. 4 in the BWC in Assists per Game
• Opened the season with 37 assists, seven digs, four blocks, three kills, and two aces vs. Missouri
• Directed the 49er offense to a .314 attack percentage vs. Villanova, while registering 43 assists and two aces on Aug. 26.
• 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)
• Posted a career-high eight blocks vs. Mid. Tenn St on Sept. 1
• Had her fourth double-double of the season (38 assists, 10 digs) vs. Idaho on Sept. 9
• Recorded 5th double-double (50 assists, 13 digs) vs. UNLV (9/15)
Quincy Verdin (OH • 6-0 • So. • Morgan City, LA/Central Catholic HS)
>>Averaging a team-best 3.18 Kills per Game in ‘06
• Posted a match-high 12 kills vs. Missouri on Aug. 25
• Recorded 11 kills vs. Oregon on Aug. 30
• Notched a season-best 16 kills vs. St. Mary's (.313 attack %) on Sept. 2
• Team-high 11 kills vs. Nebraska on Sept. 3
• 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.
Naomi Washington (OH • 6-3 • R-Fr. • New Orleans, LA/Warren Easton HS)
>>Averaging 2.32 Kills per Game in ‘06
• Averaged 2.11 kills and 0.89 blocks per game, including seven kill performance vs. Mizzou on Aug. 25.
• Had six kills and three blocks vs. Oregon on Aug. 30
• 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
• Did not commit an attack error vs. Nebraska (8-0-20) on Sept. 3
• Posted 12 kills vs. UNLV on Sept. 15
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 13 kills vs. St. Mary's on Sept. 2, and a career-high nine blocks vs. Middle Tenn St. on Sept. 1...She registered a career-best 15 kills vs. UNLV on Sept. 15...Hasalikova is hitting .347 on the season (No. 4 Big West), and ranks No. 5 in the Big West in blocks per game (1.26)...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 had a service ace and four digs vs. UNLV on Sept. 15.
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 294-49, including a combined 137-32 mark over the last six seasons. Thru the 2006 campaign, Gimmillaro has amassed a striking .811 winning percentage (586-137) over 22 seasons. Against one of the toughest conferences in the the country, the Big West, LBSU has won 78 percent (282-80) 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 9/18)
The battle for the 2006 Big West Volleyball Crown begins this week as six schools are slated for conference matchups. Thursday, September 21 will showcase the first two conference contest of the season when Cal State Northridge hosts UC Riverside and Pacific welcomes Cal State Fullerton.
The Matadors and Tigers switch opponents for their Saturday evening contests, while UC Santa Barbara welcomes No. 21 Cal Poly for its first league action. The Gauchos, hosting both UC Davis (9/21) and Cal Poly, open the home portion of their schedule with a 15-match win streak at The Thunderdome, which includes an unblemished 8-0 record last season. The Mustangs also play a match earlier in the week when they host UC Davis for a Tuesday-night showdown.
UC Irvine and No. 25 Long Beach State hit the road for their final week of non-conference action. The Anteaters travel to Loyola Marymount (9/20) and UC Davis (9/23), while the 49ers visit Sacramento State (9/21) and UC Davis (9/24).
Big West Continues To Gain National Recognition
In this week's CSTV/AVCA Top 25 Coaches Poll, Long Beach State joins Cal Poly in the national rankings. The Mustangs moved up two spots to 21st after splitting a two-contest series against No. 12 Hawaiíi, while the 49ers received the 25th slot. With a five-match win over No. 11 Wisconsin, the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos are receiving votes for the first time since the preseason rankings were announced.
Upset Trend Continues In Big West
The Big West conference notched two more upset victories last week as then-ranked No. 23 Cal Poly downed No. 12 Hawai'i in a five-game thriller in front of over 6,000 Rainbow Warrior fans. A day later the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos triumphed over No. 11 Wisconsin at the USD Invitational. Earlier this season, Long Beach State opened the season with a dominating victory over No. 13 Missouri, while Cal Poly defeated No. 8 Texas and No. 20 Louisville.
Last Week's Standouts
Making all-tournament team at their respective tournaments were: Alexa Anderson - Pacific (Asics Invitational), Harmony Burdine - Cal State Northridge (SJSU Hyatt Invitational), Darla Donaldson - Cal State Northridge (SJSU Hyatt Invitational), Jamie Garbisch - UC Santa Barbara (USD Invitational), Johanna Hilbers - Pacific (Asics Invitational), Danielle Hitzeman - Cal State Fullerton (Fullerton Classic), Julie Magud - Pacific (Asics Invitational), Amanda Pfielschiefter - Cal State Fullerton (Fullerton Classic), Olivia Waldowski - UC Santa Barbara (USD Invitational), Kayla Wright - Cal State Northridge (SJSU Hyatt Invitational).
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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