Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State University
10-4
Oregon State
10-1
Heartbreaking Loss Wraps Up Nonconference Slate
9/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Five full sets weren't enough to decide a back and forth match as the Long Beach State women's volleyball team fell after an extra point in the fifth set to Oregon State. The Beach (10-4) saw a late lead disappear in the fifth set as the Beavers (10-1) pulled out the 22-25, 25-19, 26-24, 21-25, 16-14 and snapped LBSU's win streak at five.
Each team had four players reach double digit kills with Alex Reid's 19 kills leading the Beach. Mary-Kate Marshall led Oregon State with 20 kills.
The teams traded the first two sets with the Beach taking the first and the Beavers running away with the second. A late Beach run in the second set pulled the final tally closer and LBSU a bit of momentum heading into the third set. However, the final three sets played out in dramatic fashion with both teams erasing deficits.
The third set started fairly until the Beach created some separation as the set went into the late stages. A 14-14 tie quickly turned into an 18-15 Beach advantage with the help of kills from Reid, Tyler Jackson and Ashley Murray. Jackson, playing on the left side instead of in her usual spot as the libero, put down 12 kills and had two blocks. A little late on, one of Chisom Okpala's 14 kills hit the floor for a 21-18 Beach lead.
Oregon State stormed back and tied the match at 22-22 when Tayla Woods and Arica Nassar blocked an attack from Reid. The duo combined for another block moments later to claim the lead for the Beavers. After trading a few points, Marshall set up a set point with one of her kills and then served an ace to take the advantage in the match.
Using the momentum of their comeback, the Beavers jumped ahead in the fourth to a 12-4. Their big block was still set up nicely as they tallied 21 blocks in the match and keyed every lengthy run in the latter moments of the match. That 12-4 lead quickly disappeared as the Beach went on a pair of runs to get back within one. Chelsea Cabrajac and Jenelle Hudson served the two runs that brought LBSU to a 13-12 deficit.
Oregon State continued to fight through but the 49ers went on another run behind Jackson's serving and claimed its first lead at 18-17 on a kill from Reid. Okpala followed with another kill and the lead grew to two. Oregon State fought back but Cabrajac went on another service run as Reid slammed down two more kills and Ashley Murray hit another to give the Beach set point at 24-19. Reid later found the sideline to end the set and force a fifth.
Again momentum carried over and the Beach led 9-5. However, two blocks and two kills from the Beaver tied up the match at 9-9. The Beach made a run back to take a 13-10 lead and looked to be closing in on the dramatic win.
After OSU took its second timeout, the Beavers came out inspired and blocked three attacks in a row to take a 14-13 lead. Jackson tied the match back up with a kill but Marshall responded for the Beavers and the final Beach attack went long and Oregon State claimed the dramatic win.
Jenelle Hudson distributed 55 assists and had 12 digs. Reid put up 21 digs in addition to her 19 kills while Cabrajac, as the libero, put up 21 digs as well.
The Beach enters into Big West play next week at UC Irvine on Friday and Cal State Fullerton on Saturday.
