Long Beach State University
2-2
Virginia Tech
5-2
Volleyball Sweeps Virginia Tech In First Match Saturday
9/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Volleyball Sweeps Virginia Tech In First Match Saturday JAMAICA, N.Y. – Long Beach State came out with another solid all-around effort to defeat Virginia Tech in three games on Saturday 30-23, 30-25, 30-28 in the St. John's Tournament. With the win, the 49ers improve to 2-0 in the tournament, and will face the host Red Storm for the title this evening beginning at 4 p.m. Long Beach State had another very balanced attack, mirroring their performance yesterday. Michaela Hasalikova and Ashley Lee both had 13 kills, and Alexis Crimes added 12 as the 49ers won in a three-game sweep. Both Lee and setter Nicole Vargas recorded double-doubles for the second straight match, and were joined Saturday by Crimes, who had ten digs to go with her 12 kills. Lee has been particularly impressive in the early going of the season, nearly averaging a double-double through four matches while starting every game as a true freshman. She has 41 kills and 35 digs to this point in the year, which ranks second on the team in both categories, after tallying 13 and 11 today. The 49ers took early control of the match against the Hokies, moving out to a 7-2 lead off of two Sarah Hudson aces before Virginia Tech called a timeout. However, coming out of the timeout Hudson added another ace, part of seven on the day for the 49ers, continuing a strong start which saw the Beach open up a 14-7 lead. The Hokies would close to within two at 15-13, but a Kristen Cunningham service error gave the 49ers a reprieve, and the team quickly responded to regain a seven-point cushion at 22-15. From there, the team easily took the first game by a score of 30-25 despite hitting only.137 themselves. The second game marked more of the same, as Long Beach State recovered from two early Cunningham kills to take a 4-3 lead, and would not fall behind again in the game. Two Hasalikova kills helped the 49ers take a four point lead, and the team continued in that manner through the first half of the game until a Virginia Tech timeout halted the action at 14-8. Two straight blocks helped the Hokies mount a small rally, but another kill from Hasalikova helped turn the tide and Long Beach State was never again threatened in game two. Overall in game two, Hasalikova had seven kills on .600 hitting, part of a .423 clip that was a team high for the game, excluding one kill on one swing for Sarah Hudson. The final game stayed closer throughout, but Long Beach State capitalized on cleaner play themselves to help outlast the best hitting the Hokies had produced to that point. The 49ers hit .321 with 23 kills in the final frame to help take a 30-28 clincher that was tight throughout. However, the 49ers only surrendered the lead at 7-8, and held as much as a 25-18 advantage before closing out the match with a Hasalikova kill. Long Beach State closes their time back east this evening with a matchup against St. John's. The Red Storm have also made their way through the tournament without losing, and will provide the 49ers with a good test to close out the competition. First serve for that match is scheduled for 4 p.m. Pacific. |
