Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State University
22-4, 12-0Big West
UC Santa Barbara
12-13, 7-7Big West
Win Streak Reaches 12 With A Beach Sweep OF UCSB
11/15/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
LONG BEACH, Calif. - It was a weekend sweep at the Beach as the Long Beach State women's volleyball team quickly swept through UC Santa Barbara on Saturday. The Beach (22-4, 12-0 Big West) never trailed in a 25-19, 25-18, 25-17 sweep of the Gauchos (12-13, 7-7 Big West).
With the win, LBSU brought itself to the brink of a Big West title. One more win in its final four matches will secure at least a share of the title for the Beach.
Long Beach State left no doubt in the outcome on Saturday night as it started each set with a 3-1 lead. The Beach hit .371 as a team and posted eight blocks to hold UCSB to a .131 hitting percentage. Alex Reid led the offensive charge with 12 kills on .417 hitting.
Jenelle Hudson had another impressive night for the Beach as the setter dished out 33 assists and put up 10 digs for her 12th double-double of the year.
Freshman Ashley Murray led the Beach blocking effort as she had her hands on all four Beach blocks in the first set and ended the match with seven total. Fellow middle blocker Chisom Okpala had another lights out night on the attack, hitting .556 with 11 kills.
The Beach never let the visiting Gauchos within striking distance after the initial points of each set. An early 3-1 lead grew to 10-5 in all three sets and the Beach stayed at a steady distance the rest of the way.
UCSB was led by Jaylen Villanueva's 12 kills and two aces. The two teams split 11 aces in the match as UCSB put up five and LBSU dropped in six with Anete Brinke's three aces leading the Beach.
The Beach will look to clinch its 13th Big West title on the road next week as it travels to UC Davis on Thursday and UC Riverside on Sunday.
