Long Beach State University
2-0
UNLV
0-2
Beach closes day with second sweep, defeating UNLV
8/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 27, 2010
Long Beach, Calif. - Instead of the freshmen like the morning match, it was a sophomore who had her coming-out party on Friday against UNLV, as sophomore Janisa Johnson set career highs in kills, digs and assists to lead the 49ers to a 25-21, 25-21, 25-16 win over the Rebels in the team's second match of the day.
Johnson finished the match tied for the team high with 12 kills for The Beach to go with 11 digs, picking up the team's first double-double for the 49ers the year. Junior Caitlin Ledoux also had 12 kills, and Haleigh Hampton had another solid match during her first day of collegiate play, making eight kills on .429 hitting. Overall, the team hit well over .200 again at .297, while holding the Rebels to .137 hitting.
The match began with a slow start for the 49ers as UNLV took a 7-4 lead, but Long Beach State used a rotation error to tie the set at 8-8 and took their first lead on an overpass kill by Haleigh Hampton. The set remained tight throughout, but the 49ers pulled ahead 22-19 on back-to-back Ledoux kills and a final kill handed the The Beach a 25-21 victory in the opening set.
The action remained close in the second set as neither team was able to gain an early advantage. The 49ers finally pulled ahead 14-11 after a soft tip by Ledoux closed out a lengthy rally kept alive by libero Lauren Minkel. The Rebels scored three straight points to cut the 49ers lead to one at 19-18, but Long Beach State hit Janisa Johnson for a kill and a ace by Laura Schuck again handed the 49ers a three-point lead. The Rebels recovered once more to pull within one at 22-21, but hit Ledoux once more down the stretch on the way to a 25-21 set two victory.
A Delainey Aigner-Swesey and Michelle Osunbor block gave the 49ers a 7-4 lead, and Long Beach State was able to push to a 10-5 lead prior to a UNLV timeout. The 49ers would score four more out of the timeout to take a commanding lead, and finished off the match with a 25 -
In other action in the tournament, St. Mary's had a pair of wins over UNLV and Sacred Heart, and Long Beach State defeated Rutgers in their first match of the day.
The 49ers kick off action on the second day of the Baden Classic on Saturday morning, hosting Sacred Heart at 10 a.m.
