Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State University
20-4, 9-2Big West
UC Santa Barbara
10-13, 6-6Big West
49ers Block Their Way To Victory In Santa Barbara
11/7/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 7, 2008
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Naomi Washington had a monster night in the middle hitting .632 with 13 kills and adding six blocks as the 49ers took a 25-23, 25-14, 25-22 win over UC Santa Barbara Friday night. With the win, the 49ers improve to 20-4 overall, earning their fifth consecutive 20-win season.
Seven blocks in set two for the 49ers powered the way for the win, as The Beach finished with 13 blocks overall, matching nicely with .242 hitting, led by Washington and Caitlin Ledoux. Iris Murray had a big night defensively, posting 18 digs for the 49ers and Nicole Vargas won the final battle with her little sister, starting Gaucho setter Dana Vargas in part with her play, making 36 assists and adding 13 digs and 3 blocks for her 12th double-double of the season.
Long Beach State took an early 6-5 lead, but UC Santa Barbara answered back with five straight points in what was a very close set one. Despite the Gauchos taking a 10-6 lead, the 49ers tied the set at 11, and moved ahead 13-12 after a Cat Highmark kills. A Laura Schuck ace helped the 49ers take the advantage at 17-14. The Gauchos again recovered in the set, eventually taking a 22-19 lead. The 49ers rallied to take the set 25-23, as the team tied the set at 22-22 and won a decisive rally at 23-22 after a Ledoux kill.
A close battle early, Long Beach State recovered to take a convincing win in set two. After each team trading one point leads, the 49ers opened a 13-9 lead after Naomi Washington put down a couple of kills after grazing the nets. The 49ers continued their run, taking a 15-9 lead after a solo block from Verdin, and an ace from the senior moved the 49ers ahead 20-12. Three more blocks down the stretch for the 49ers closed out a much easier 25-14 victory heading into the break.
Two aces for Ledoux got the 49ers started in set three, though it would be close throughout. Despite an early lead, the 49ers needed two solo blocks from Ledoux and Highmark to tie the set at 9-9, and the 49ers trailed 15-13 after a McLaughlin kill. The 49ers regained the lead at 18-17, and took it for good after a Ledoux kill at 21-20 on the way to a 25-22 win for the sweep.
Long Beach State continues their road trip tomorrow night when the 49ers face Cal Poly. The Mustangs currently stand in second place in the Big West standings behind the 49ers, so the match has enormous implications in the conference race. First serve in Mott Gym is scheduled for 7 p.m.
