Roots run deep between the Notre Dame Fightin’ Irish and Long Beach State 49ers volleyball teams, as both coaching staffs have known each other for decades.  Irish head coach Debbie Brown and 49er assistant coach Debbie Green were members of the first U.S. women’s volleyball team to qualify for the Olympics in 1980, and Brown has known 49er head coach Brian Gimmillaro for almost as long.  In fact, the 49ers welcomed Brown into the locker room after last night’s game to talk about her experiences and the importance of her achievements.

But the evening was not all cordial, as the two very talented teams traded punches before the Beach was able to pull away and defeat Notre Dame in four games, 20-25, 25-15, 25-23, 25-12.

Long Beach State senior outside hitter Quincy Verdin had the night that we all know she is capable of, recording a career-high 21 kills on a stellar .545 hitting percentage.  Notre Dame focused their defensive efforts on shutting down the 49ers’ Caitlin LeDoux and Naomi Washington, leaving Verdin free reign.  She welcomed the opportunity.

“She’s capable of that at any time,” said Gimmillaro after the game.  “It was nice for her to have played that well tonight.  She has so much ability.”

Verdin was one of several 49ers to contribute to an impressive. 270 team hitting percentage, considering the strength of Notre Dame’s defense.  Irish hitter Kristen Dealy recorded four blocks and eleven digs, her defensive prowess rendering 49er Naomi Washington ineffective.  But the Irish hit just .138 as a team and made uncharacteristic mistakes down the stretch.

With a 20-17 lead in the third game, Notre Dame allowed Long Beach State to go on a 7-1 run on the shoulders of sophomore Ashley Lee, who slammed home back-to-back kills to help the Beack squeak by with a 25-23 win.  Winning the third game gave the Beach a decided two games to one advantage.  They would dominate the fourth game, 25-12, to spoil Notre Dame’s west coast swing.

“We didn’t pay hard until the end of the 3rd game and all of the 4th game,” Gimmillaro said.  “When we play hard we do well.  We have to work hard for our points, and don’t get many easy ones.  Last year we were able to get easy points but we’re not getting any this year.”

Long Beach State plays its next three games at home, hosting conference opponents UC Davis, Pacific and Cal State Fullerton as the 49ers look to capture the Big West championship and earn their way back into the nation’s Top 25.