Long Beach State University
5-4,0-0Big West
Wyoming
3-6,0-0Mountain West
LBSU Comes From Behind To Defeat Wyoming In Five Sets
9/18/2025 8:25:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Beach rally from a 2-1 deficit as four players notch double-digit kills
LARAMIE, Wyo.—Long Beach State rallied from a 2-1 deficit to defeat Wyoming 3-2 in a five-set battle that opened the UniWyo Invite at UniWyo Sports Complex Thursday night.
Wyoming stormed out to a fast start and never looked back in the opening set, powering past Long Beach State 25-17. The Cowgirls seized control with a blistering 10-1 run highlighted by kills from Paige Lauterwasser, Addy Cook, and Sara Quigley. Quigley added a service ace and capped the surge with another kill to push the lead to 14-4.
The Beach tried to rally behind Anabel Kotzakov and Logan King, who combined for several late kills, but Wyoming's early momentum proved too much. Sarah Holcomb delivered two kills in the final three points—including the clincher off a Quigley assist—to secure the set.
Long Beach State responded in the second, building an early cushion and holding off a late Wyoming push for a 25-23 win. Nieko Thomas and Elise Agi sparked a 9-3 start, forcing an early Cowgirls timeout. Agi's service ace stretched the lead to 23-19, and after Wyoming closed within one, Kotzakov's timely kill set up set point. King and Thomas then combined on a block to even the match.
The Cowgirls answered in the third, rallying late for a 25-22 victory and a 2-1 advantage. Cook and Evelyn Udezue provided key kills, while Quigley's solo block on set point sealed the frame. Long Beach State came back strong in the fourth, pulling away late for a 25-18 win. Thomas, Kotzakov, and King fueled the offense, while Agi took command down the stretch with three late kills. A Wyoming attack error closed the set, forcing the decider.
In the fifth, Long Beach State showed its resilience. After Wyoming grabbed a 3-1 lead, King's serving powered a 7-1 Beach run, highlighted by a Madi Maxwell – Thomas block that swung momentum. The Cowgirls rallied to tie it at 13. Despite Wyoming using a pair of replay challenges, King delivered consecutive kills—including the match-winner—to secure the 15-13 victory.
Four Beach players reached double figures in kills, led by Agi with 18 and a career-high 15 digs for her 11th career double-double. King added her second double-double of the season with 16 kills and 10 digs. Thomas hit .579 with a season-best 11 kills (11-0-19), while Kotzakov contributed a season-high 10 kills. Maxwell notched her 10th career double-double with a career-best 56 assists and 10 digs. Cook paced Wyoming (3-6) with 15 kills.
Long Beach State (5-4) continues UniWyo Invite play Friday against the University of Portland (5-4). First serve is set for 1 p.m. on the Mountain West Network.
