Long Beach State University Athletics
Volleyball heads to Seattle for two matches this weekend
9/4/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 4, 2012
Long Beach, Calif. -
Complete Women's Volleyball Game Notes 
Starting Out
The 49ers will look to bounce back this weekend up in Washington, as Long Beach State plays a pair of matches in the Emerald City. First, the 49ers will play No. 7 Washington on Friday, September 7 at 7 p.m. The next night, Long Beach State heads to the other Division I university in the city, Seattle, for a match against the Redhawks at 7 p.m. Both games will be covered live through streaming audio at www.longbeachstate.com.
In The Pyramid
Long Beach State hosted its home opener last week as part of its only home tournament in 2012. The 49ers cruised to a victory over James Madison in the team's first match, winning 25-14, 25-21, 25-12 behind sophomore Chisom Okpala's 16 kills on .552 hitting, but the lack of the team's two starting middles showed in the next two matches, as Long Beach State fell in three sets for the first time since 2010 to No. 20 San Diego on Friday night, and then managed three blocks in a 3-1 defeat to Wisconsin, despite 18 kills and 19 digs from senior Janisa Johnson and double-double from setter Tara Roenicke.
Leading the Way
Senior Janisa Johnson is tops in the Big West this season in kills, averaging 4.55 kills per set, out in front of Hawaii's Emily Hartong and Cal State Fullerton's Kayla Neto through two weeks in the season. Johnson was also recognized for her tremendous efforts during the opening weekend of the season, earning Kentucky Classic All-Tournament Team honors, the only 49er on the team. Johnson led the 49ers with 60 kills over three matches that weekend, averaging five kills per set and three digs per set, including an impressive 29 kills and 19 digs in Long Beach State's five-set loss to North Carolina.
Double Up
In six matches, senior outside hitter Janisa Johnson now has posted four double-doubles, giving her 33 in her career, after recording 16 as a sophomore and 13 as a junior. Statistically over her career, Johnson has averaged a double-double, making 10.10 kills per match and 11.80 digs per match. The 49ers have also had four other double-doubles in 2012, as setter Tara Roenicke has reached the mark in assists and digs three times, including season highs with 47 assists and 13 digs against North Carolina. Delainey Aigner-Swesey finished with 10 kills and 11 digs against Kentucky in the team's other double-double.
Scouting Washington
The Huskies have yet to drop a set in 2012 while going 6-0. The Huskies started the year with three sweeps over Pacific Northwest opponents, and then picked up their big win of the year, defeating No. 7 Purdue 25-21, 25-17, 25-9 in impressive fashion. Sophomore Krista Vansant led the Huskies with 14 kills in that match, and leads Washington overall with 4.17 kills per set. As a team, the Huskies are hitting .317, playing a 6-2 with Katy Beals and Jenni Nogueras setting.
Long Beach State vs. Huskies
Long Beach State leads the all-time series with the Huskies 4-2. The 49ers won the first four meetings between the teams, including a victory in the undefeated 1998 season. The Huskies have taken the last two meetings between the teams; once in 2007 in four sets, and again in four sets last season, winning 25-13, 15-25, 29-27, 25-11 in a roller coaster of a match. Outside hitter Janisa Johnson had 13 kills and 21 digs in that match, while Vansant led the Huskies with 12 kills. This weekend marks the first time Long Beach State has played at Washington.
Scouting Seattle
Seattle enters the week with a 4-3 record, with a pair of wins last weekend at Washington State, where they played a tournament. Junior outside hitter Sarah Jaeckel leads the Redhawks with 3.79 kills per set, and had 24 kills in the team's win over Weber State last weekend.
Long Beach State vs. Redhawks
The 49ers won the only meeting between the teams back in 2010, when the Redhawks traveled to Long Beach to play in the Thanksgiving Classic. Caitlin Ledoux and Delainey Aigner-Swesey led a balanced attack for the 49ers, as Long Beach State won 25-11, 25-12, 25-22. Cristin Richards led Seattle with 12 kills, while Sarah Jaeckel added 9 in her freshman season.
Schedule Strength
Long Beach State again faces one of the nation's most difficult schedules, as the 49ers face five teams receiving votes in this week's poll over the course of the 2012 season, and one this week, the highest ranked of that group, No. 7 Washington. Two opponents from the first weekend of the season are in the polls, No. 19 and North Carolina, and No. 17 San Diego moved up three places last weekend following their victory over the 49ers. Long Beach State will also face No. 9 Hawaii twice this season, as the Rainbow Wahine move into the Big West this season.
