Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State University
0-1
San Diego
1-0
49ers drop season opener against San Diego 3-1
8/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 28, 2009
Long Beach, Calif. - Long Beach State hit a blistering .333 in a second set win, but just .134 overall against No. 15 San Diego in a 3-1 loss in the team's opener. The 49ers held San Diego to .147 hitting, but were unable to create much offense themselves in the loss.
San Diego never hit higher than .225, which they reached in the third set, but compensated with outstanding defense, posting 74 digs and having four players finish with double-digit digs. Long Beach State countered with sophomore Lauren Minkel, who finished with 18 digs in her first match as the 49er libero.
Offensively, the 49ers were carried by Naomi Washington, who finished with 12 kills on .303 hitting. Caitlin Ledoux also finished with 12 kills with 49 swings, hitting .143.
Long Beach State got started quickly with a Michelle Osunbor and Naomi Washington block, and continued to have the edge early, taking a 12-9 lead after a Torero overpass. The Toreros pulled even at 13 however, and eventually took the lead at 19-17 following a block by Torey Ellick and Kelsi Myers. Long Beach State pulled even and eventually took a 24-22 lead, but the Toreros dug deep and took a 26-24 first set victory, scoring four straight points to end the set.
A strong start combined with solid hitting helped The Beach climb back into the match. The 49ers scored four straight points to start the set, finishing with a Lauren Minkel ace. San Diego pulled to within two, but the 49ers extend their lead to five at 11-6. Long Beach State kept their lead at five, and finally extended it at 17-11 following two attack errors by the Toreros. Two straight blocks down the stretch by Jocelyn Neely and Caitlin Ledoux helped the 49ers close out the second set as Long Beach State evened the match at 1 set apiece, winning 25-15.
San Diego started out hot to begin the third set, taking a 5-1 lead following a solo block by Ashton Basch. The 49ers immediately climbed all the way back behind strong serving from Ashley Lee, tying the game at 5-5. Long Beach State continued to press and took an 8-6 lead after a fifth attack error in the early part of the set by the Toreros. The two teams continued to progress through a close set, until the Toreros managed to take a two point lead at 16-14 following a San Diego block. San Diego was able to hold the lead from there, taking a 25-22 second set victory.
Long Beach State trailed early in the next set, but forced San Diego into a trio of errors to take an 8-5 lead in set four. The 49ers continued to press the advantage, keeping a 14-11 lead, but San Diego pulled back even at 16, and took a 17-16 lead. The Beach regained the lead at 19-18, and another Torero error put the 49ers ahead by two. San Diego battled back to take a 21-20 lead, and closed out the match 25-22 in four sets.
The 49ers continue their opening homestand on Saturday night, hosting No. 2 Texas in the Walter Pyramid at 7 p.m.
