Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State University
(24-5, 13-3)
Cal State Fullerton
(16-15, 9-7)
Beach Clinches Big West Title With Fullerton Sweep
11/22/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 22, 2008
Fullerton, Calif. - A much cleaner, more inspired 49er team came to play in Fullerton Saturday night and the result was a 25-15, 25-22, 26-24 victory in three sets over Cal State Fullerton. Nicole Vargas had 35 assists and five kills, helping the 49ers to the Big West championship, their first since 2001.
The win spoiled senior night for Cal State Fullerton's lone senior, Brittany Moore, who still led the way for the Titans with 19 kills on .295 hitting, adding 13 digs for the 49ers. Long Beach State's offensive load was shared by Caitlin Ledoux and Quincy Verdin, who each finished with 13 kills. As a team, the 49ers hit .309 and made six aces to help seal the win.
Avoiding the traps of last night, Long Beach State worked an early 12-9 lead after a Titan overpass. The 49ers would continued to press their lead, moving ahead by eight at 21-13 on the way to an easy 25-15 win in set one. The second set contained more of the same, as Long Beach State picked up a three-point lead at 14-11, and while improved Titan hitting would keel Cal State Fullerton close throughout, the 49ers never trailed after taking that three-point lead in a 25-22 win.
Set three was close throughout, as Cal State Fullerton exited the break with a renewed determination. The Titans grabbed the first two-point lead of the set at 9-7 after a Beach attack error. Long Beach State would regain the lead briefly after a Laura Schuck ace at 11-10, but Cal State Fullerton would answer back, eventually moving ahead by three at 20-17. Long Beach State fought back in the match, though, winning three straight points after a Quincy Verdin kill and tying the set. The teams continued to battle with sideouts, and then the 49ers gained the service advantage at 25-24 after an Iris Murray ace. The 49ers then went to Ledoux to end the match with a 26-24 win.
Long Beach State's final scheduled home match this season is set for next Saturday, when the 49ers host No. 15 Colorado State in their final tuneup before the NCAA Tournament. That match will begin at 7 p.m. in the Walter Pyramid, and the team will honor their three seniors, Quincy Verdin, Nicole Vargas, and Iris Murray prior to the match.
