The Beach Battle Boise State, Fall in Five Sets

Friday, August 27

Boise, Idaho

6:30 PM

Long Beach State University

1-1,0-0Big West

Boise State

2-0,0-0Mountain West

Long Beach St.

Boise St.

Photo by: John Fajardo

8/27/2021 10:20:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

Long Beach State put up a fight but came up just short

By: Lindy Zamora, Associate Athletic Communications Director

BOISE, Idaho – The Long Beach State women's volleyball team received several solid performances as the Beach went up 2-0 over Boise State in the final match of the day at the Boise State Invitational on Friday. However, the Broncos pushed the Beach to brink and ended up earning a reverse sweep of LBSU, 3-2 [25-20, 25-21, 21-25, 18-25, 18-20].

The Broncos (2-0) jumped out in front early, but the Beach (1-1) used a 6-0 run, highlighted by three service aces from Erykah Lovett, to take a 14-13 edge. With the lead, LBSU controlled the first set hitting .375 as they closed the set on a 4-0 run to win, 25-20.

Kameron Bacon puts it away as @LBSU_WVB takes set 1, 25-20 over Boise State #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/WO0YAwYSIY
— LBSU W. Volleyball (@LBSU_WVB) August 28, 2021

Picking up right where they left off, Long Beach State took a quick lead in the second set, 7-4, before using a 5-0 run to extend their lead to 13-6 forcing a Boise State timeout. The Broncos managed to come within two points (22-20), but the Beach came away with a 25-21 victory to take a 2-0 set lead.

Down two games to none, Boise State came out strong in the third as they went on an 8-0 run to take a 9-1 advantage. LSBU chipped away and evened the score at 15-15 on a block by Avery Nelson and Kayla Fuller. But, Boise State jumped back out in front by four (19-15). The Beach remained undaunted as they rattled off five-straight points to take a 20-19 lead. However the Broncos would close out the game on a 5-1 run to win 25-21.

The fourth set saw Boise State go up 5-1 to start the game. But similar to the third set, the Beach chipped away and eventually tied the game at 18-18 as Maura Hayes came off the bench and knocked down a kill. Despite the momentum shift, the Broncos managed to get it back as they went on a 7-0 run to close the set, 25-18, and force a fifth set.

The Broncos kicked off the final frame leading 4-0, but the Beach, once again, showed their grit as they battled back and evened the score at 12-12 on an ace from Hayes. Following a Boise State timeout, the two teams exchanged points as they battled through five ties and five match points before the Broncos edged the Beach, 20-18.

Kashauna Williams led all scorers with 19 kills and 10 digs for a double-double. The junior outside hitter also added three blocks and an ace. Lovett also recorded a double-double with 11 kills and 12 digs, to go along with a career-high five service aces. Rounding out the Beach's double-figure scorers was Nelson who notched 13 kills, while contributing five blocks and four digs.

Boom!!! Avery Nelson with the unassisted KILL! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/fGv4f6TFTP
— LBSU W. Volleyball (@LBSU_WVB) August 28, 2021

Kasia Partyka and Hayes split setter duties as Partyka dished out 32 assists, while Hayes distributed 11. Partyka also collected five digs, one kill, and one block, while Hayes finished the match with two kills, two digs, two aces, and a block.

Sophomore libero Nicole Hoff logged 16 digs in the back row to pace the defense, while Fuller and Kameron Bacon each helped contribute at the net with four blocks each.

Boise State's Lauren Ohlinger led the way with a double-double (12 kills, 15 digs), while Kayly Pau led the Broncos with 13 kills. Chey Jones dished out 28 assists as setter, while Jolei Akima posted 13 digs, and Makayla Hansen and Alli O'Hara each put up eight blocks on the night.

Long Beach State will conclude action at the Boise State Invitational on Saturday, August 28 when the Beach take on Dixie State at 11 a.m. (PT) / 12 noon (MT).