The Long Beach State women’s volleyball team ended their season on Saturday in the same way that the women’s soccer team did weeks earlier – much sooner than they had expected.

After getting off to a rocky start in September, the 49ers battled through injuries and ironed out the kinks to amass an impressive 26-7 record that included a Thanksgiving Tournament championship, an undefeated November and just two losses in their last 22 matches.  They carried a twelve game winning streak into the first round of the NCAA Tournament at USC’s Galen Center, and while the 49ers squeezed past UNLV in five games on Friday, they could not upset the Trojans on their home floor.  

Another five game thriller against #5 USC brought their national championship hopes to an end.  Though it hardly lessens of the blow of defeat, all seven of CSULB’s losses were to ranked opponents.

It marks the second straight season that the 49ers have fallen out of the Tournament in the 2nd Round, with last year’s loss coming in the Pyramid to Hawaii.  This year, coach Brian Gimmillaro felt that his team was more seasoned and prepared to make a run at a national title behind senior All-Everything hitter Alexis Crimes.  Crimes was spectacular throughout the season and finished with 4.48 kills per game, while senior defensive specialist Talaya Whitfield played absolutely out of her mind down the stretch, leading the team with 542 digs when all was said and done.


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One of the most warm and humble athletes I have ever been around (and when you look at her numbers, she could have bragged as much as she wanted) Crimes leaves CSULB as unarguably one of the best to ever don the black and gold.  Her size, smarts and sheer athleticism formed a simply unbelievable package.  With a handful of seniors on the way out, Gimmillaro is left to pick up the pieces and ready himself and his players for next season. 

Thanks for the memories, Seniors.

Cynthia Buggs – 340 digs (2.81 per game)
Sarah Hudson – 23 aces and 124 digs
Michaela Hasalikova – 336 kills (2.78 per game)
Talaya Whitfield – 524 digs (5.37 per game)
Alexis Crimes – 520 kills (4.48 per game)
Dyanne Lawlor – Left team early in season to pursue internship at the White House