Oct. 13, 2006

Box Score

LONG BEACH, Calif. - Junior middle blocker Michaela Hasalikova recorded a match-high 12 kills and hit .474 with six blocks to lead Long Beach State to a 30-24, 30-12, 30-23 sweep over UC Davis in non-conference women's volleyball action at the Walter Pyramid Friday evening.

The Aggies fall to 2-17 on the year. The 49ers, among those receiving votes in the CSTV/AVCA Coaches Top 25, improve to 13-4 overall.

Senior middle Rachel Keener led UC Davis with seven kills, while freshman outside hitter Britt Erickon chipped in six kills, eight digs and an ace. Another senior middle, Katie Wilson, came off the bench to hit three kills on five swings and contribute on one of eight Aggie blocks.

Senior Mariko Crum aided the 49er effort with 11 kills and a .400 hitting average. She also matched Hasalikova's total of six blocks. Junior middle Alexis Crimes hit 9-0-19 for a .474 average and added three block assists.

The Beach stormed out to a 9-3 start with the help of four kills by setter Dyanne Lawlor. The Aggies rallied back to an 11-11 tie on an ace by freshman Carson Lowden, then tied the score again at 12-12 on Erickson's kill. Sophomore setter Nicole Vargas helped stretch LBSU's lead back out to 21-16 with a kill and an ace, and the 49ers protected their edge the rest of the way.

Crum and Hasalikova teamed up on back-to-back blocks early in the second game to eastbalish a 9-4 lead, then Hasalikova's two kills increased that margin to 14-6. The Aggies never approached closer, hitting minus-.163 in Game 2, as compared to the .368 rate by their hosts.

Long Beach also never trailed in the third game, as Crum's hot streak of three kills and a block propelled her to team to a 9-2 start. Wilson's second kill allowed UC Davis to close in within 17-13, but the 49ers turned around to score five straight points, in part due to consecutive kills by sophomore Quincy Verdin. The Aggies again closed the gap to a 24-21 deficit, and LBSU responded with four straight points to protect their lead en route to the sweep.

UC Davis returns to action on Saturday with a match at UC Irvine. The Aggies are next at home on October 17 to host their installment of the Causeway Classic against Sacramento State.

UC DAVIS (kills-aces-blocks) - Katelyn Astruc 4-0-1, Kelly Patterson 2-0-1, Britt Erickson 6-1-0, Chantal Paschetta 3-0-1, Rachel Keener 7-0-1, Nicole Read 5-0-1, Michelle Nelson 0-0-0, Avreeta Singh 0-0-0, Carson Lowden 0-2-0, Tori Hooper 0-0-0, Renee Ibekwe 0-0-0, Katie Wilson 3-0-1, Jenny Pierce 0-0-1. Totals 30-3-40. Assists - Katelyn Astruc 19. Digs leaders - Britt Erickson 8, Chantal Paschetta 8, Avreeta Singh 8.

LBSU (kills-aces-blocks) - Nicole Vargas 4-2-0, Dyanne Lawlor 8-0-2, Talaya Whitfield 0-0-0, Quincy Verdin 9-0-1, Alexis Crimes 9-0-3, Mariko Crum 11-0-6, Cynthia Buggs 0-1-0, Sarah Hudson 0-0-0, Michaela Hasalikova 12-0-6, Iris Murray 0-0-0. Totals 53-3-9.0. Assists - Nicole Vargas 39. Digs leaders - Talaya Whitfield 16, Iris Murray 13.