Thursday, September 14
Tucson, Ariz.
6:00 PM
Long Beach State University
at
Arizona
Photo by: John Fajardo
Beach Women’s Volleyball Set to Close out the Preseason at the Wildcat Classic
9/13/2023 5:23:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Beach will play Arizona, Alabama State, and New Mexico State at the Wildcat Classic
LONG BEACH STATE (3-4) at ARIZONA (3-5)
Date: Thursday, September 14
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Tucson, Ariz.
Venue: McKale Center
Live Stats: StatBroadcast.com
Live Stream: Pac-12.com
Twitter: @LBSUWVB
LONG BEACH STATE (3-4) vs. ALABAMA STATE (1-9)
Date: Friday, September 15
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Tucson, Ariz.
Venue: McKale Center
Live Stats: StatBroadcast.com
Live Stream: FloVolleyball
Twitter: @LBSUWVB
LONG BEACH STATE (3-4) vs. NEW MEXICO STATE (6-2)
Date: Saturday, September 16
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Tucson, Ariz.
Venue: McKale Center
Live Stats: StatBroadcast.com
Live Stream: FloVolleyball
Twitter: @LBSUWVB
Beach Women's Volleyball Set to Close out the Preseason at the Wildcat Classic
The Long Beach State Women's Volleyball team closes out their competitive preseason schedule at the Wildcat Classic hosted by Arizona. The Beach will face the host Wildcats on Thursday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m., before playing Alabama State on Friday, Sept. 15 at 4 p.m., and New Mexico State on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 10 a.m.
Catch All The Action
Long Beach State's match at Arizona will be streamed on Pac-12.com, while the two neutral site matches will be streamed on FloVolleyball. All three matches can be followed on live stats via StatBroadcast.com.
Staying Social
Follow Long Beach State women's volleyball on Instagram and Twitter at @LBSUWVB. Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Long Beach State by following @LBSUAthletics via Twitter. Be sure to "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram at @LBSU.
In The Rankings
• Long Beach State is 3-4 on the year and not currently ranked in the AVCA/Taraflex Division I Poll.
• Arizona, which 3-5 on the year, is not currently ranked nor receiving votes.
• Alabama State, which is 1-9, is not ranked nor receiving votes in the AVCA/Taraflex Division I Poll.
• New Mexico State, which brings a 6-2 record into the Wildcat Classic, is not ranked no receiving votes.
About the Beach
• Long Beach State opened the 2023 season with a huge win over No. 1 Texas. The victory marked LBSU's first win over a No. 1 ranked opponent since 2001.
• Since then, the Beach picked up a win over Indiana marking the team's first win over a Big Ten school since 2015 when they took down Rutgers in four sets.
• The Beach come into the Wildcat Classic with a 3-4 overall record and are looking to get back on the winning track after dropping a 3-0 contest at No. 4 Nebraska in their last outing.
• Redshirt sophomore setter Zayna Meyer has paced the Beach, distributing 9.16 assists per set to rank second in The Big West. On the year, Meyer has contributed on all sides of the ball with 2.36 digs per set, 0.84 kills per set, 0.64 blocks per set, and 0.24 aces per set.
• Junior libero Savana Chacon has been on-point defensively as she averages 3.96 digs per set, which is good for fifth in the conference. She logged a career-high 29 digs against Washington on Sept 1. Additionally, Chacon leads Long Beach State in service aces with 10 on the year to average 0.40 per set to rank sixth in The Big West.
• Graduate student Katie Kennedy leads the Beach with a .263 attack percentage as she has racked up a team-leading 57 kills to average 2.38 per set.
• Junior Elise Agi is the team's leader in scoring as she averages 3.00 kills per set. Agi has led the Beach in kills on three separate occasions this season.
• Long Beach State will host the inaugural Big West Women's Volleyball Championships this season, which will take place at the Walter Pyramid November 22, 24, and 25. The winner of the championship will earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
• This season, Long Beach State has been chosen to finish third in The Big West Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Beach garnered 82 points and one first-place vote coming in just one point behind second place UC Santa Barbara. Hawaii, which collected 100 points and 10 first-place votes, was chosen as the preseason favorite.
Scouting Arizona
• Arizona comes into the week with a 3-5 overall record.
• The Wildcats are looking to get back on the winning track after dropping a pair of 3-0 contests to Wisconsin and Miami last weekend.
• The U of A has picked up three wins this season over Pacific (3-1), Long Island (3-0), and at Grand Canyon (3-2).
• The Wildcats are led offensively by Sofia Maldonado Diaz and Jaelyn Hodge who average 3.66 and 3.39 kills per set, respectively. Maldonado Diaz also leads the team with 10 aces, while also adding 2.45 digs per set and 0.59 blocks per set. Meanwhile, Hodge adds 2.35 digs per set and 0.32 blocks per set.
• At setter, Arizona is paced by Ana Heath who has racked up 279 assists to average 9.30 assists per set. She also leads the Wildcats with 2.70 digs per set, while chipping in 0.33 blocks per set.
• Nicole Briggs has put up 22 total blocks at the net (4 solos, 18 assists) to average a team-leading 0.71 blocks per set. She also contributs 0.81 kills per set and 0.71 blocks per set.
The Series: The Beach vs. The Wildcats
Long Beach State and Arizona will meet for the 21st time in program history. In the all-time series, the Wildcats lead 12-8, however, the Beach have won the last four contests. The series between LBSU and U of A dates back to 1976, when Long Beach earned a 2-0 win over Arizona. The Beach won the first four contests, before the Wildcats went on a 12-match winning streak over LBSU from 1980-1986. In 1987, Long Beach State got back to its winning ways and has won the last four meetings ever since. This Thursday, will mark the first contest between Long Beach State and Arizona since December 13, 2001 when the Beach downed the Wildcats, 3-0, in the NCAA Tournament Final Four.
Scouting Alabama State
• Alabama State has had a tough preseason as they come into the Wildcat Classic with a 1-9 overall record.
• The Lady Hornets' lone victory of the season came at the hands of Norfolk State, 3-2, last week.
• Alabama State's leading scorer is Jylen Whitten who is averaging 2.32 kills per set on a .175 clip. She also contributes 1.54 digs per set, while adding 10 aces on the year.
• The Lady Hornets platoon two setters in Madison Beasley and Emily Brooks. Beasley leads the way with 4.54 assists per set, while Brooks adds 4.15 assists per set. Brooks also leads the team in aces with 17 to average 0.52 aces per set.
• Defensively, Temperance Chatman holds down the backcourt with a team-leading 121 digs to average 3.27 digs per set.
• At the net, Taila Gaines leads the way with 27 blocks (9 solo, 18 assists) to average 0.73 blocks per set.
The Series: The Beach vs. The Lady Hornets
Long Beach State and Alabama State will meet for just the second time in program history. In their first and only meeting, the Beach swept the Lady Hornets, 3-0, in Long Beach, Calif., on August 26, 2006.
Scouting New Mexico State
• New Mexico State brings a 6-2 overall record into the Wildcat Classic.
• The Aggies are riding a three-match win streak and have won six of their last seven contests. Their only loss during that span came at the hands of Arizona State, 3-1, on Sept. 3.
• Ryleigh Whitekettle is the team's leading scorer as she averages 3.86 kills per set on a .362 hitting percentage.
• Bianca Perez and Peyton Castillo split setter duties. Perez leads the way with 6.50 assists per set, while Castillo adds 5.17. Perez also leads the team with eight aces on the year.
• Anchoring the backrow for the Aggies is Darian Markham who has logged 133 digs to average 4.75 digs per set. She also chips in 1.29 assists per set.
• Kacia Brown leads the Aggies at the net with 30 blocks to average 1.07 blocks per set.
The Series: The Beach vs. The Aggies
Long Beach State and New Mexico State will meet for the 23rd time in program history. Overall, the Beach lead the all-time series 22-0. When playing each other at a neutral site, the Beach own a 3-0 record over the Aggies. Saturday's match marks the first time since September 15, 2000, that LBSU and NMSU will face off. In that last meeting, the Beach came away with a 3-0 sweep in Long Beach, Calif.
Career Move
Junior libero Savana Chacon has recorded at least 10 digs in six of Long Beach State's last seven matches. On the year, she is averaging 3.96 digs per set. Chacon kicked off the season with 14 digs against No. 1 Texas. She turned in her best showing with a career-high 29-dig performance against Washington, before following that performance with 16 digs against UCLA. Chacon's digs per set average ranks her fifth in The Big West.
Killin' It
Junior Elise Agi has adjusted to transferring to Long Beach State seemlessly. She has seen action in six of LBSU's seven matches, earning the start against UCLA. She is currently LBSU's leading scorer with 3.00 kills per set. Additionally, Agi has led the Beach in kills on three separate occasions this season.
Setting the Tone
Redshirt sophomore Zayna Meyer has been a steady force for Long Beach State during their tough preseason slate. The 6-foot-1 setter has paced the Beach offense and turned in an all-around solid showing in each outing. Her 9.16 assists per set are good for second in The Big West, while she also contributes 2.36 digs per set, 0.84 kills per set, 0.64 blocks per set, while hitting .317 on the year. She has also recorded a pair of double-doubles.
Next Up
Long Beach State will open Big West action on Friday, Sept. 22 as they host Cal Poly at the Walter Pyramid at 7 p.m. The following night, the Beach welcome conference foe UC Santa Barbara to the Mid for a 7 p.m. match to kick off the conference slate.
Date: Thursday, September 14
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Tucson, Ariz.
Venue: McKale Center
Live Stats: StatBroadcast.com
Live Stream: Pac-12.com
Twitter: @LBSUWVB
LONG BEACH STATE (3-4) vs. ALABAMA STATE (1-9)
Date: Friday, September 15
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Tucson, Ariz.
Venue: McKale Center
Live Stats: StatBroadcast.com
Live Stream: FloVolleyball
Twitter: @LBSUWVB
LONG BEACH STATE (3-4) vs. NEW MEXICO STATE (6-2)
Date: Saturday, September 16
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Tucson, Ariz.
Venue: McKale Center
Live Stats: StatBroadcast.com
Live Stream: FloVolleyball
Twitter: @LBSUWVB
Beach Women's Volleyball Set to Close out the Preseason at the Wildcat Classic
The Long Beach State Women's Volleyball team closes out their competitive preseason schedule at the Wildcat Classic hosted by Arizona. The Beach will face the host Wildcats on Thursday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m., before playing Alabama State on Friday, Sept. 15 at 4 p.m., and New Mexico State on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 10 a.m.
Catch All The Action
Long Beach State's match at Arizona will be streamed on Pac-12.com, while the two neutral site matches will be streamed on FloVolleyball. All three matches can be followed on live stats via StatBroadcast.com.
Staying Social
Follow Long Beach State women's volleyball on Instagram and Twitter at @LBSUWVB. Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Long Beach State by following @LBSUAthletics via Twitter. Be sure to "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram at @LBSU.
In The Rankings
• Long Beach State is 3-4 on the year and not currently ranked in the AVCA/Taraflex Division I Poll.
• Arizona, which 3-5 on the year, is not currently ranked nor receiving votes.
• Alabama State, which is 1-9, is not ranked nor receiving votes in the AVCA/Taraflex Division I Poll.
• New Mexico State, which brings a 6-2 record into the Wildcat Classic, is not ranked no receiving votes.
About the Beach
• Long Beach State opened the 2023 season with a huge win over No. 1 Texas. The victory marked LBSU's first win over a No. 1 ranked opponent since 2001.
• Since then, the Beach picked up a win over Indiana marking the team's first win over a Big Ten school since 2015 when they took down Rutgers in four sets.
• The Beach come into the Wildcat Classic with a 3-4 overall record and are looking to get back on the winning track after dropping a 3-0 contest at No. 4 Nebraska in their last outing.
• Redshirt sophomore setter Zayna Meyer has paced the Beach, distributing 9.16 assists per set to rank second in The Big West. On the year, Meyer has contributed on all sides of the ball with 2.36 digs per set, 0.84 kills per set, 0.64 blocks per set, and 0.24 aces per set.
• Junior libero Savana Chacon has been on-point defensively as she averages 3.96 digs per set, which is good for fifth in the conference. She logged a career-high 29 digs against Washington on Sept 1. Additionally, Chacon leads Long Beach State in service aces with 10 on the year to average 0.40 per set to rank sixth in The Big West.
• Graduate student Katie Kennedy leads the Beach with a .263 attack percentage as she has racked up a team-leading 57 kills to average 2.38 per set.
• Junior Elise Agi is the team's leader in scoring as she averages 3.00 kills per set. Agi has led the Beach in kills on three separate occasions this season.
• Long Beach State will host the inaugural Big West Women's Volleyball Championships this season, which will take place at the Walter Pyramid November 22, 24, and 25. The winner of the championship will earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
• This season, Long Beach State has been chosen to finish third in The Big West Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Beach garnered 82 points and one first-place vote coming in just one point behind second place UC Santa Barbara. Hawaii, which collected 100 points and 10 first-place votes, was chosen as the preseason favorite.
Scouting Arizona
• Arizona comes into the week with a 3-5 overall record.
• The Wildcats are looking to get back on the winning track after dropping a pair of 3-0 contests to Wisconsin and Miami last weekend.
• The U of A has picked up three wins this season over Pacific (3-1), Long Island (3-0), and at Grand Canyon (3-2).
• The Wildcats are led offensively by Sofia Maldonado Diaz and Jaelyn Hodge who average 3.66 and 3.39 kills per set, respectively. Maldonado Diaz also leads the team with 10 aces, while also adding 2.45 digs per set and 0.59 blocks per set. Meanwhile, Hodge adds 2.35 digs per set and 0.32 blocks per set.
• At setter, Arizona is paced by Ana Heath who has racked up 279 assists to average 9.30 assists per set. She also leads the Wildcats with 2.70 digs per set, while chipping in 0.33 blocks per set.
• Nicole Briggs has put up 22 total blocks at the net (4 solos, 18 assists) to average a team-leading 0.71 blocks per set. She also contributs 0.81 kills per set and 0.71 blocks per set.
The Series: The Beach vs. The Wildcats
Long Beach State and Arizona will meet for the 21st time in program history. In the all-time series, the Wildcats lead 12-8, however, the Beach have won the last four contests. The series between LBSU and U of A dates back to 1976, when Long Beach earned a 2-0 win over Arizona. The Beach won the first four contests, before the Wildcats went on a 12-match winning streak over LBSU from 1980-1986. In 1987, Long Beach State got back to its winning ways and has won the last four meetings ever since. This Thursday, will mark the first contest between Long Beach State and Arizona since December 13, 2001 when the Beach downed the Wildcats, 3-0, in the NCAA Tournament Final Four.
Scouting Alabama State
• Alabama State has had a tough preseason as they come into the Wildcat Classic with a 1-9 overall record.
• The Lady Hornets' lone victory of the season came at the hands of Norfolk State, 3-2, last week.
• Alabama State's leading scorer is Jylen Whitten who is averaging 2.32 kills per set on a .175 clip. She also contributes 1.54 digs per set, while adding 10 aces on the year.
• The Lady Hornets platoon two setters in Madison Beasley and Emily Brooks. Beasley leads the way with 4.54 assists per set, while Brooks adds 4.15 assists per set. Brooks also leads the team in aces with 17 to average 0.52 aces per set.
• Defensively, Temperance Chatman holds down the backcourt with a team-leading 121 digs to average 3.27 digs per set.
• At the net, Taila Gaines leads the way with 27 blocks (9 solo, 18 assists) to average 0.73 blocks per set.
The Series: The Beach vs. The Lady Hornets
Long Beach State and Alabama State will meet for just the second time in program history. In their first and only meeting, the Beach swept the Lady Hornets, 3-0, in Long Beach, Calif., on August 26, 2006.
Scouting New Mexico State
• New Mexico State brings a 6-2 overall record into the Wildcat Classic.
• The Aggies are riding a three-match win streak and have won six of their last seven contests. Their only loss during that span came at the hands of Arizona State, 3-1, on Sept. 3.
• Ryleigh Whitekettle is the team's leading scorer as she averages 3.86 kills per set on a .362 hitting percentage.
• Bianca Perez and Peyton Castillo split setter duties. Perez leads the way with 6.50 assists per set, while Castillo adds 5.17. Perez also leads the team with eight aces on the year.
• Anchoring the backrow for the Aggies is Darian Markham who has logged 133 digs to average 4.75 digs per set. She also chips in 1.29 assists per set.
• Kacia Brown leads the Aggies at the net with 30 blocks to average 1.07 blocks per set.
The Series: The Beach vs. The Aggies
Long Beach State and New Mexico State will meet for the 23rd time in program history. Overall, the Beach lead the all-time series 22-0. When playing each other at a neutral site, the Beach own a 3-0 record over the Aggies. Saturday's match marks the first time since September 15, 2000, that LBSU and NMSU will face off. In that last meeting, the Beach came away with a 3-0 sweep in Long Beach, Calif.
Career Move
Junior libero Savana Chacon has recorded at least 10 digs in six of Long Beach State's last seven matches. On the year, she is averaging 3.96 digs per set. Chacon kicked off the season with 14 digs against No. 1 Texas. She turned in her best showing with a career-high 29-dig performance against Washington, before following that performance with 16 digs against UCLA. Chacon's digs per set average ranks her fifth in The Big West.
Killin' It
Junior Elise Agi has adjusted to transferring to Long Beach State seemlessly. She has seen action in six of LBSU's seven matches, earning the start against UCLA. She is currently LBSU's leading scorer with 3.00 kills per set. Additionally, Agi has led the Beach in kills on three separate occasions this season.
Setting the Tone
Redshirt sophomore Zayna Meyer has been a steady force for Long Beach State during their tough preseason slate. The 6-foot-1 setter has paced the Beach offense and turned in an all-around solid showing in each outing. Her 9.16 assists per set are good for second in The Big West, while she also contributes 2.36 digs per set, 0.84 kills per set, 0.64 blocks per set, while hitting .317 on the year. She has also recorded a pair of double-doubles.
Next Up
Long Beach State will open Big West action on Friday, Sept. 22 as they host Cal Poly at the Walter Pyramid at 7 p.m. The following night, the Beach welcome conference foe UC Santa Barbara to the Mid for a 7 p.m. match to kick off the conference slate.
Players Mentioned
DS
/ Women's Volleyball
OPP/OH
/ Women's Volleyball
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