Long Beach State University Athletics
The Beach Continues Big West Play Up The Central Coast
10/15/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Friday, Oct. 17 at UC Santa Barbara
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Santa Barbara, Calif.
Listen Online | Watch Online | Live StatsSaturday, Oct. 18 at Cal Poly
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Listen Online | Watch Online | Live Stats
THE MATCHUPS
Long Beach State is 63-36 all-time against UCSB and 40-18 against Cal Poly. The Beach has owned the series recently against both teams, winning 14 of the last 17 against the Gauchos and five of the last six over Cal Poly. Both series have played out opposite stories as the Beach has snuck out victories in five sets in each of the last three contests against UCSB. Sweeps have been the story of the last three contests with the Mustangs as LBSU has swept two while Cal Poly swept the last time the two met in San Luis Obispo.
THE TEAM
Long Beach State is the last remaining unbeaten team in Big West play with a 4-0 record. It hits the road for the first time in three weeks this week, owning a 5-3 record in matches away from the Pyramid. After a dominant defensive performance against Hawai'i, LBSU reclaimed the conference lead in limiting opponents to a .160 hitting percentage.
MACKIE IS NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Senior Bre Mackie's career night against Hawai'i led to a couple of weekly awards for the right side hitter. Mackie was selected as the Big West's Player of the Week on Monday and followed it up by being named the Sports Imports/AVCA National Player of the Week on Tuesday.
MORE FROM THE FRONT ROW
Senior Chisom Okpala has returned to form since coming back from an injury. She has hit over .300 in nine of the 11 matches since her return and leads the Big West with a .378 hitting percentage in conference matches. Fellow middle blocker Ashley Murray leads all Big West freshmen in blocks per set and hitting percentage.
IN THE BACK ROW
Junior Jenelle Hudson tallied her team-leading eighth double-double of the year with 43 assists and 13 digs last week. Senior libero Tyler Jackson continues to average over four digs per set for the season and ranks second in Big West matches with an average of 4.31 digs per set.
