Assembling this creative fiction every week or so is easy, if you are not confined to absolute facts. Like that other four letter word known as the NCAA, the Dust shoots first and sorts out the meaning of life later.
The results of last week were less than spectacular. Going into the season LBSU Women’s Volleyball (now 2-4) looked like a contender. Last weekend was more of a pretender. The Beach Lost vs. Air Force, 3-2; beat the host U of San Francisco, 3-2 and then got snake bit in a five game loss to my favorite football school, Miami, 3-2. The best of the Beach kids continues to be senior captain and outside hitter Delainey Aigner-Swesey, DAS finished with a double-double in each match of the weekend, and leads the 49ers with 97 kills this season. The trip to the Bay was by air with busses and vans while up there.
Now you may ask why we give the travel details. It’s because LBSU actually is an acronym for Low Budget State University. That leads us to those free kicking and free spending of ladies soccer, (back on the winning side with a record of 3-2-0). This week they drew about 600 folks twice in wins over Cincinnati, 4-1 and a red-carded weakened squad from Loyola Marymount, 1-0. Missing two expelled players, LMU still battled to the end as the 49ers extended their win streak to three games. And the booters, who already had out of town air travel to Santa Clara and Texas Tech (about $550 per traveler) pick up new boarding passes and tickets to play visitor at Georgia and Auburn, deep in the $EC, this weekend.
Hotels and other expenses are usually handled by the host school but in these budget strapped days (academic fees and housing are up again) air travel makes for tough budgeting for the Beach.
MISC BITS—The only unbeaten team so far is the No. 6 Men’s Water Polo (4-0) Who beat Air Force, Cal Lutheran, UC Davis and Loyola Marymount in the Triton Invitational beating three ranked teams in the process without seeing any TSA check points. Best in the wet set was Sophomore Nolan McConnell had four goals in two matches, scoring 11 total while leading the 49ers to that 4-0 weekend.
For her soccer exploits Niner sophomore midfielder Hannah Sanders has been named the Big West Women’s Soccer Co-Offensive Player of the Week the conference office announced Monday afternoon, splitting the hardware with Cal Poly’s Elise Krieghoff. It was the first career weekly award for Sanders. Sanders registered two goals and two assists in LBSU’s home victories over Cincinnati (4-1) and Loyola Marymount (1-0), extending the team’s winning streak to three games.
After a great effort vs. Cincy, Sanders returned to George Allen to lift LBSU to a 1-0 shutout win over Loyola Marymount. She delivered the game-winner on a fast sequence just 39 seconds into the second half. After receiving a cross in the middle of the box, Sanders’ point-blank shot was knocked away by the LMU goalkeeper, but she pounced on the rebound and converted on the second chance. Sanders finished with a game-high three shots.
Back on campus the ladies of volleyball are busy with the College of Charleston on Friday and Seattle on Saturday, both at 7PM Thursday, the battered front line goes to take on always trough LMU over there. Last weekend Brian played a couple of pure freshmen, including heralded top 25 recruit Joy Miley, a 6-2and growing kid from Downey. Her addition is critical since Haleigh Hampton is back on the DL.
Also head to the DL or worse is the University of the Pacific men’s volleyball team which may well drop the sport Our guy at Pepperdine wrote ,”heard this at Pep over the weekend – really sad, as you will remember that when the UOP move was initially talked about, I commented about how more than one league for MVB in the west might be in the offing.” That raises the question with UOP now out of the Big West they may also drop softball since the WCC does not support that sport. (Sort of like the Olympics!)
Meanwhile Men’s Water Polo travels–by land–to the Inland Empire Classic vs. Concordia, Chapman, Whittier and LaVerne. All four games are very winnable so I’m thinking maybe 8-0 this time next week.
Our closing commercials all come from local ADs. The 49er Athletic Club is running a trip to Seattle to watch the 49ers play the Washington Huskies. The trip is open to the entire 49er Family. The flight departs on Friday, November 29 and returns on Sunday, December 1. Trip includes flight, hotel accommodations, trip to/from the airport, game ticket and Athletic Director’s social. For more information, or to register, call (562) 985-5910.
Want a fancier seat at the Pyramid that same 49er Athletic Club will offer a new row of Walter Pyramid reserved courtside seating for the 2013-14 men’s basketball season. The new row of seating, row AA, will be located on the sidelines behind current Platinum Row seating, will offer a plush, cushioned viewing experience with a risen line of sight to the court. They say there is a “limited amount is available for the upcoming season. Seats are available for $295 each, as well as a $1,500 donation to the 49er Athletic Club’s student-athlete scholarship fund.”
Finally the wine tasting wars are coming up. LBCC strikes first September 19th for a mere $15 at the Alumni Association Wine Tasting Event with wine expert, Jim Martois, Building O2, Room 234 on the PCH campus. Three fun features: wine tasting, refreshments, and that “opportunity drawing”.
The LBSU event is a “Toast to Women’s Athletics” also on Thursday, September 19 to benefit scholarships for female student-athletes. The event will be hosted at the newly-renovated Bogart’s & Co. within the Long Beach Convention Center. “A wide selection of wines and paired hors d’oeuvres will be featured along with a silent auction, opportunity drawing, art and live music. Complimentary parking is available. Tickets are $75 per person.” Don’t drink and drive but help your local education establishment. –DR. DAN.