Oct. 20, 2006
Fullerton, Calif. - Alexis Crimes hit .417 and posted 13 kills as Long Beach State swept Cal State Fullerton, 3-0 (30-27, 30-26, 30-24), in a Big West Conference volleyball match at Titan Gym on Friday night.
Despite their most respectable showing against the 49ers in recent years, the Titans fall to 13-7 overall and 2-5 in conference play. Fullerton has now dropped a season-high five consecutive matches, and six of its last seven. Long Beach improves to 15-4, 5-1, defeating the Titans for the 47th straight time since 1983.
The Titans built up a 10-6 lead in the first game of the night, that would equate to their biggest lead of the match, but the 49ers battled back to tie the game at 16-16 on a kill by Crimes. The cross-town rivals traded points until Long Beach scored the last three points of the match for the win in game one.
Fullerton would out-hit the 49ers in each of the first two games percentage-wise, .133-.089, and .250-.200, but Long Beach State would pick up its pace in the final game, posting a .457 attack assault to Fullerotn's .286.
Deven Bukski led the Fullerton offense, tallying 12 kills in 33 attempts. Breanna Trueau was right behind her with 10 kills of her own. Amanda Pfielschiefter hit .400 to pace the Titans, with eight kills.
The Titans played tough at the net, out-blocking the bigger 49er line-up, 7-5. Pfielschiefter and Alex Wolnisty both tied with a match-high three blocks, each posting two block assists and a solo. Crimes and Mariko Crum match the Titan blocking effort, with three blocks apiece.
Vanessa Vella led all players defensively with 16 digs in the match, collecting 11 of them in game one alone. Long Beach had a pair of players in double-digits in digs, led by Talaya Whitfield who scooped 13 attack attempts.
Fullerton will conclude a three-game home stand Saturday night as they host UC Irvine at 7 p.m.