Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State University
11-5, 1-2BWC
Cal Poly
13-4, 3-1BWC
Mustangs overpower Long Beach State as 49ers fall in three
10/2/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 2, 2010
San Luis Obispo, Calif. - Long Beach State rebounded with a better hitting night on Saturday, but were topped by an outstanding Cal Poly attack that saw the Mustangs hit .394 in a 25-18, 25-18, 25-21 loss on the road.
Janisa Johnson tied for the team lead with 11 kills on .280 hitting, while Caitlin Ledoux also finished in double-digits with 11 kills. Cal Poly had three players that finished over .400 on the night, as Dominique Olowolafe had 13 kills on .455 hitting, Kristina Graven had 13 kills on .444 hitting, and Jennifer Keddy added six kills on .545 hitting. Catie Smith added 12 kills for the Mustangs.
Cal Poly hit over. 400 in the first two sets which were nearly identical. In each, the 49ers took a lead that was quickly turned into a large deficit by the Mustangs. In set two, the 49ers recovered to force a number of ties, the latest coming at 12-12, but a three-point push by Cal Poly gave the Mustangs a lead that they would never relinquish on the way to a second 25-18 win.
Set three was the closest, as the 49ers held the Mustangs to .243 hitting but again Cal Poly proved to be too much. Trading sideouts, Long Beach State held the lead as late as 10-9 after a Johnson kill, but Cal Poly retook the lead at 13-12. The lights then went out in Mott Gym, forcing a 20-minute delay as the power was reset. With the lead from that point, the Mustangs made a three-point push out of a 15-15 tie, and continued to have success with their sideouts on the way to a 25-21 win.
The 49ers return to the Walter Pyramid for two matches next week, hosting Pacific and UC Davis. First up for Long Beach State are the Aggies, who come to Long Beach for a 7 p.m. match on Oct. 8.
