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Crimes is a Steal for LBSU
by Abbey Mastracco, Daily 49er
September 19, 2007
Four years ago, before senior middle blocker Alexis Crimes had broken
several of Long Beach State's all-time women's volleyball records, and
long before she became a feared Big West opponent, the senior in high
school was on a recruiting trip.
Walking down the stairs of The Walter Pyramid, watching the 49ers, she
had a conversation with a fan. Crimes told her she was going to be playing
volleyball for the 49ers.
"She said, 'I'll be looking out for you,' " Crimes said.
Those six words gave Crimes all of the encouragement she ever needed,
and those six words sealed the deal. She immediately decided she would
play for LBSU so that fan would never forget the name Alexis Crimes.
"I wanted her to look out for me," Crimes said. "For her
to see me, for her to remember my name."
Her reign at The Walter Pyramid began shortly thereafter, and it's been
nearly impossible for almost anyone to forget her name. Crimes quickly
made an impression at LBSU by notching 13 kills and six blocks in her
first collegiate game. She went on to record double figure kills in 25
more games, averaged 3.88 kills and 1.25 blocks per game and hit at a
.375 attack clip on the year.
Along with legendary 49er volleyball alum Misty May, Crimes was the second
freshman in the program's history to receive Big West Freshman of the
Year honors, and was one of only three freshmen in the nation to be named
an American Volleyball Coaches Association Freshman All-American.
And that was just the tip of the iceberg.
Since then Crimes has racked up records that have put her on five of Long
Beach State's all-time lists. In just three seasons at The Beach her kill
total has exceeded 1,000. Her numerous accolades, which include three
All-American awards, a 2006 Big West Conference co-Player of the Year
and several Player of the Week honors, practically run off the page.
Crimes played for the USA Women's Junior National Team that qualified
for the World Championships in 2005 and her accomplishments rival those
of some of the best 49ers who have come before her. Names being thrown
around include those of Cheryl Weaver, Tara Cross and Danielle Scott -
all of whom are in the prestigious 1,000 kill club with Crimes.
"I feel honored but I don't feel I'm quite there yet," Crimes
said. "I still have some more work to do before I'm up there with
the girls."
She may not feel like she is quite worthy of the comparisons yet, but
head coach Brian Gimmillaro would disagree.
"She's that good," Gimmillaro said. "I never compare one
player to another but I can compare good to good, and she's as good as
several famous players that have graduated from this program."
Crimes is exceptionally athletic in her position. She is more than capable
of getting her 6-foot, 3-inch body to virtually any angle of the court,
as her 61 digs this season - fifth on the team - proves. Blocking, hitting
or passing - her talent spans the court.
"She's our No. 1 point scorer for one, she has maturity and ability,"
Gimmillaro said. "We ask her to do more than any middle blocker is
asked to do on any team in the country."
With every record she set and every award she received, the pressure mounted
on Crimes. But in three seasons, the pressure has only forced Crimes to
step up her game - and her kill total.
"I think every year teams are watching me more," Crimes said.
"I notice it more but I use it to my advantage. It's fun to have
that type of pressure, especially when it comes from other teams like
that."
On the court Crimes leads in points, but off the court Crimes is exemplary
as well. As an experienced senior and a leader on the court, playing a
dominant role off the court was natural for Crimes.
"In my senior year I have to step up and be more of a leader and
be more persistent," Crimes said. "I have to always be ready
and I have to overall step up more."
Gimmillaro couldn't be more impressed with his co-captain.
"She's a wonderful young person," Gimmillaro said. "Her
personal qualities are probably better than her academic qualities."
While Crimes knows she has a bright future ahead of her playing for the
U.S. National Team, she admits leaving LBSU and the 49ers behind after
this season won't come as easy as her kills do.
"It's going to be really hard, and I emphasize really," Crimes
said. "It's not even about the records, it's about the coaches and
the people I've met. I'm really sad to leave."
But she's not done just yet - at LBSU or in volleyball.
And she doesn't plan on stopping any time soon. Crimes said there is much
more left for her to achieve.
"I honestly want my number up there," Crimes said, as she pointed
to the retired numbers hanging in The Walter Pyramid. "That's my
number one goal - to retire No. 34."
But beyond The Walter Pyramid, her dreams reach all the way to China.
"My ultimate goal is to make the 2008 Olympic team," Crimes
said.
There are things Crimes still wants to accomplish. But what about her
original goal she set before even beginning her tenure as a 49er?
"Hopefully, she remembers my name," Crimes said of the fan that
motivated her to play for LBSU. "Hopefully, she does."
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