From Reports By Long Beach State Sports Information Department

Down the stretch this season, the women’s volleyball team has seen some ups and downs.  But from nine-game winning streaks to losses at 3-13 Northridge, always consistent was the youngest of the group, Caitlin Ledoux.  The freshman outside hitter was chosen as the Big West Freshman of the Year yesterday, while four other 49ers made the first-team list.

Ledoux currently leads the 49ers in kills this season, averaging 3.21 kills per set while ranking among the league leaders as a true freshman. Helping lead the 49ers to the Big West Championship and the team’s 22nd consecutive NCAA appearance, Ledoux also was second on the team in aces and third in digs. She earned Big West Player of the Week honors following a career-high 22-kill performance against UC Santa Barbara. Ledoux has posted nine double-doubles and led the team in kills 13 times. 

Coach Brian Gimmillaro has said it multiple times this year.  “Caitlin just closes it for us.”  Her late set stability has earned Ledoux national attention, and has 49er fans dreaming big for the coming years.

Along with Freshman of the Year honors, Ledoux was selected for the All-Freshman team, and was one of five 49ers selected First-Team All-Big West, tying the most the 49ers have had since their 1998 National Championship team. Along with Ledoux, seniors Quincy Verdin and Nicole Vargas and juniors Brittney Herzog and Naomi Washington joined the first team.

Verdin, making her second appearance on the first-team, finished the year second in kills (351) and total attacks (831) while Vargas, a three-time All-Big West selection, was the only setter named to the first team while guiding the 49ers to a first-place finish in the conference. 

The twin towers in the middle got their recognition as well.  Brittney Herzog, a junior transfer who didn’t see much action early in the year, ended up second in the conference with a .462 hitting percentage, and Naomi Washington was third in hitting while leading the 49ers in blocking with 106 on the year.

Long Beach State finishes the regular season this Saturday against No. 19 Colorado State, and then will make their 22nd consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament the following week.