Long Beach State University Athletics
49ers complete first week of practice
8/13/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 13, 2010
Long Beach, Calif. - Double-days are underway for Long Beach State women's volleyball, as the 49ers prepare to defend their back-to-back Big West Championships and extend their postseason streak to an astounding 25 seasons.
The 49ers welcome back 14 players, including three seniors, as well as a tremendous class of five freshmen for the 2010 campaign. Setter Ashley Lee and outside hitter Caitlin Ledoux are returning All-Big West selections, and sophomore Jocelyn Neely returns after earning All-Freshman team honors.
Among Long Beach State's freshman, the 49ers welcome a trio of front-line players that will compete for immediate playing time. Long Beach State has brought in a pair of middle blockers in 6-7 Haleigh Hampton, and 6-2 Kiri Hirini, who will join Michelle Osunbor and Taylor Cook in the middle. 6-1 outside hitter Delainey Aigner-Swesey has been added to the ranks of the outside hitters, while Ashley Vazquez comes to the team as a setter, but at an athletic 6-1, can play a number of positions. The newcomers are rounded out by 5-11 defensive specialist Chelsea Cabrajac.
Senior Laura Schuck and libero Lauren Minkel join Lee, Neely, Ledoux and Osunbor as returning starters from last year's team that extended the 49ers' 24-year streak in advancing to the NCAA Tournament. That once again will be among the goals for the 49ers in the 2010 season, as well as a return to the Top 25 and national prominence.
The season begins unofficially on August 21 at 7 p.m., when a number of former 49ers will return to face the new team in the second year of the alumni game, which will be held at the Goldmine. The regular season opener will then be a part of the Long Beach State Baden Classic, a 1:30 p.m. start against Rutgers, one of four matches the 49ers will play on the opening weekend and part of eight total in the season-opening tournament.
