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