Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State University
1-0
Rutgers
0-1
49ers cruise to easy win in season opener
8/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 27, 2010
Long Beach, Calif. - Any questions about how the 49ers would compete with two true freshman starting in 2010 were quickly answered in a 25-7, 25-10, 25-9 dispatching of Rutgers in the team's first match of the season. The 49ers were dominant throughout, hitting .425 while holding the Scarlet Knights to -.118 hitting.
The .425 team mark would have been a season-high for the 2009 year, and was highlighted by strong performances by junior Caitlin Ledoux, who had 13 kills on .480 hitting, and freshman Haleigh Hampton, who added 9 kills while hitting .615. Hampton also added six blocks in her first career match.
Another freshman in her first start, Ashley Vazquez was impressive at setter, handing out 28 assists and making three blocks while guiding the offense. Libero Lauren Minkel led The Beach with 13 digs while tying a career-high with one kill.
Three straight service aces from Libby Fontanilla spotted the 49ers to an early 9-4 lead in the opening set of the seaon, With a 12-7 lead, the 49ers started an unbelievable impressive run, scoring 13 straight points to finish out the set. Janisa Johnson served for 12 straight points until a block by the freshmen tandem of Haleigh Hampton and Ashley Vazquez gave the 49ers set point.
The Scarlet Knights recovered from their poor play in the first set, taking an early 5-2 lead. Long Beach State worked their way back into the set, taking an 8-7 lead on a kill from Delainey Aigner-Swesey and pushing to an 11-7 lead before a Rutgers timeout. The 49ers continued their run, taking a 15-7 lead before a Rutgers sideout. The Long Beach State edge then increased to 20-9 after a Hampton kill on an overpass leading to a second Rutgers timeout. The 49ers finally closed out the second set 25-10.
Long Beach State didn't slack off in the final set, cruising out to a 10-3 lead behind error-free hitting over that stretch. Four kills each from Johnson and Ledoux helped the 49ers take a 20-7 lead, and the 49ers finished the match with a 25-9 victory.
Long Beach State returns to action later today, when the 49ers host UNLV in the final match of the first day of the Baden Classic. That match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the Walter Pyramid. UNLV lost their first match of the day 25-23, 25-20, 25-18 to No. 25 St. Mary's.
