Long Beach State Falls To No. 4 Pitt In Season Opener

Saturday, August 31

Eugene, Ore.

4 p.m.

Long Beach State University

0-1,0-0Big West

Pittsburgh

2-0,0-0ACC

Long Beach St.

Pittsburgh

Photo by: Ivan Abril

8/31/2024 5:54:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score LBSU-Pitt Box Score

Savana Chacon serves up three aces, while Natalie Glenn leads the way with eight kills in the loss

By: Lindy Zamora, Associate Athletic Communications Director

EUGENE, ORE. – The Long Beach State Women's Volleyball team opened the 2024 season at the Oregon Invitational and dropped a 3-0 [12-25, 9-25, 20-25] decision to No. 4 Pitt on Saturday evening.

The Beach (0-1) got a strong showing from Savana Chacon who came off the bench and served up three aces. Meanwhile, senior outside hitter Natalie Glenn led the way with eight kills, while adding five digs, and three blocks.

Senior setter Zayna Meyer dished out 22 assists to go along with a team-best eight digs, while adding a kill and a block.

Pitt (1-0) jumped out to a quick 5-1 start to kick off the first set and never looked back. Despite the Beach's efforts, the Panthers led the entire first set. Pitt scored four-straight points to take a 14-7 lead, and after back-to-back miscues from LBSU, extended its lead up to nine (20-11). The Beach called a timeout, but eventually dropped the first set, 25-12.

The second set was much like the first as Pitt took an early lead that they never relinquished. The Panthers controlled most of the frame and closed the set on an 8-0 run as they defeated Long Beach State 25-9 to take a 2-0 lead into the third set.

Long Beach State began to find its groove in the third set, but the damage had been done. Pitt, once again, led throughout the set. However, the Beach pulled within one (15-14) on an ace from Chacon which was as close as they'd get. From there, the Panthers knocked down three-consecutive points to go back up by four (20-16) forcing an LBSU timeout. Following the break in action, Pitt went on to win the set and match, 25-20.

Torrey Stafford led the Panthers with 12 kills on a .308 attack percentage, while contributing seven digs and five blocks. Setter Rachel Fairbanks ran a solid offense with 25 assists as Pitt hit .351 in the match. She also added 11 digs for a double-double. Libero Emmy Klika also had a double-digit dig performance as she chipped in 10.

Long Beach State will be back in action at the Oregon Invitational on Sunday, Sept. 1 when the Beach face the host Ducks at 12 p.m., at Matthew Knight Arena.