Long Beach State University Athletics
Volleyball Opens Practice for 2008
8/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 9, 2008
Long Beach, Calif. - With two practices Saturday, Long Beach State officially kicked off the 2008 volleyball season. The 49ers will have a month to prepare for their opener, a four-team tournament at the Walter Pyramid during Labor Day weekend.
The 49ers now have an even mix of returning and new players, as Long Beach State opened today with three additional players in Alexa Manuel, Lauren Minkel, and Jessica LaScola.
Manuel comes to the Beach out of Eden Prairie, Minn., where the 6'8" middle blocker played high school volleyball. She was also a member of the USA Junior National A2 team. "Alexa is coming here to see how she can develop in the time that she's allowed here," said head coach Brian Gimmillaro. "Her attitude will help her do that, and I hope that she becomes the dominant player she could be in a couple of years.
Minkel and LaScola are a pair of back row players that should help shore up the depth in that position. LaScola is a junior college transfer from Mesa College, where she was a libero for two years. "Jessica is a very good athlete and very competitive," said Gimmillaro. "She may play an important role for us this year in the back row, depending on how she adjusts to the speed and the style of Division I volleyball."
Rounding out the group is Minkel, a freshman from the Iolani School in Honolulu. A 5'9" defensive specialist, her addition finalizes the squad at 16 for 2008. "Lauren is a calm, good volleyball player," said Gimmillaro. "She is very skilled and has been playing volleyball for a long time. Her court demeanor is excellent, and her experience is certainly a plus.
The 49ers start the 2008 regular season on Aug. 29, when they play San Francisco at Noon in the Walter Pyramid.
