CSULB lose to San Diego in NCAA tournament

The 49ers were defeated by the number 20 ranked San Diego Toreros in four sets.


The ladies came out strong in the beginning and due to successful blocking, they were able to hold their lead until a San Diego time out. Sophomore Haleigh Hampton had a knockout game with a career high and also NCAA tournament record of five solo blocks. Senior Caitlin Ledoux also had a knockout last game with the 49ers. Ledoux ended her career with 1, 589 kills, tying newly inducted Hall of Fame player Cheryl Weaver for fifth in LBSU career kills. 

The ladies struggled throughout the matches, especially the second set. Emotions played a big factor in the teams downfall to San Diego.


"I thought we came in really confident tonight, and we lost that [after the second set]," said Ledoux. "You can't do that against a good team like San Diego."   


http://www.longbeachstate.com/sports/w-volley/recaps/120211aaa.html



LBSU finished off their well played 2011 season with a 23-7 overall record. In 2012 is set to return strong with the majority of the 2011 starting lineup returning, besides Ledoux and senior libero, Lauren Minkel. 

Cheryl Weaver Hall of Fame Nominee

              

Former CSULB women's volleyball player, Cheryl Weaver is to inducted into the 2011 Hall of Fame.

Weaver was a star player in the late 90s, early 2000s. She was apart of one of the finest teams CSULB has seen, advancing to a total of three final fours and winning a national championship with the 1998 women's volleyball team.


At the time, Weaver was one of the greatest middle blockers in collegiate women's volleyball. She was a three-time first team All-American, won the honor of being named Big West Player of the Year in both 2000 and 2001, she was also a contributing factor to the 2001 women's volleyball teams 33 game winning streak going up to the national championship. In her final year as a 49er, she averaged a .429 hitting, which is the fourth highest in the schools history.


After graduating from CSULB, Weaver found success in international competitions. In 2002, she competed in the Japan tour, Montreux tour, and a tour in Russia. She most recently competed in the 2010 China tour.


http://usavolleyball.org/athletes/cheryl-weaver

Johnson wins Big West Player of the week

                      

CSULBs women's volleyball outside hitter, Janisa Johnson has been named the Big West Player of the Week, for the week of Nov. 28. 

Johnson, a sociology major, is the third player on the team this season to be named player of the week. Fellow teammates, Haleigh Hampton won the award twice and Caitlin Ledoux won the award once as well. 

Johnson, who at 5'7'', which is by volleyball standards very short, has been a vital outside hitter for the team despite the high differences against her competitors. She made her mark on the team her sophomore year, finishing the season with 362 kills. This triumph led to an honorable mention All Big West selection in 2010. She was also ranked 2nd in both kills and digs on the 49ers and finished in the top ten in both kills and digs in the Big West. 

LBSU opens NCAA tournament against San Diego

In the first round of the NCAA tournament, LBSU faces San Diego in a match held at UCLA on Friday.

LBSU, which is the number 23 ranked team, faces the number 20 team in hopes of making it further into the NCAA tournament. The 49ers faced San Diego last year  in the tournament but ultimately lost. In this rematch, the girls hope to come out on top and continue to move upwards in the tournament.

If Long Beach won in two matches, they would move on to Lexington, KY to compete in more matches beginning Dec. 9.

The girls fell to San Diego in 3 matches in what coach Gimmillaro says was due to "inexperience."Next match is set for Saturday versus the Texas Longhorns, 7pm at the Pyramid.

http://www.daily49er.com/sports/women-s-volleyball-falls-3-1-in-season-opener-1.1824390#.Tt1ynM12mPU

Two volleyball prospects join the 2012 team

Two high school players Alex Reid and Tiara Wallace have signed National Letters of Intent to join CSULBs 2012 women's volleyball season.


Both players are on the AVCA All American watch list. Both Reid and Wallace are at the top of the prep recruits 


"Alex is a complete player," noted Gimmillaro. "She's an explosive athlete, and is already an accomplished passer, defender and blocker, as well as a great hitter. She is really focused on being a big part of our program." http://www.longbeachstate.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/111411aab.html


In addition to Reid, the current "Senior Ace" 6-4 middle blocker Tiara Wallace is also set to bring a lot to the 2012 team with her blocking and hitting skills. Taking the place of senior Michelle Okpala. The team is predicted to just fine with the new additions to the team. 


The 2012 team has five returning starters on top of Reid and Wallace. 

Haleigh Hampton earns 2nd Big West Player of the Week

Its a rare feet for someone to win the Big West Player of the Week, but sophomore Haleigh Hampton has yet again, garnered the honor. 


When i talked to Hampton she said of the honor, "it felt great to be named conference player of the week twice but i wouldn't be there without my team. theres a lot of great players in our league and it really is an honor to be chosen". 


Hampton accounts many of her successes in volleyball to her teammates. Especially in times like now when they are in  a battle to make it to the NCAA playoffs. 


With such high stakes on the line for the team going into each game, the stress level of the team seems to be on a high. But the teams mentality seems to keep everyone together and positive before each game. 


"We're driven by the prospect of getting a bid into the ncaa playoffs. We really try and focus on the game at hand but theres a constant thought of a bigger picture. When were struggling we really try and calm down, address the situation, and fix it by just playing our game and not theirs. We play a high quality level of volleyball and we dont want to play down to our opponents level, says Hampton". 

Big West Player of the week

As a collegiate athlete, being named the player of the week is a significant achievement. It demonstrates not only the kind of person they are but the achievements that have made that week in their sport.

Sophomore Haleigh Hampton was named the Big West Player of the week for the week of October 9th. This came following her impressive second double-double game of the year against Cal State University Fullerton. This is also the first Player of the week award in her collegiate volleyball career. She has gained numerous awards her freshman year for outstanding first year as a middle blocker and was named the 2010 "Rising Star".

Hampton sure is a rising star on the CSULB women's volleyball team and continues to grow as an athlete and lead her team to victories as a lead middle blocker.