A 2008 Long Beach State women’s volleyball season preview
It’s important to note that Long Beach State fans have impressively high expectations when it comes to women’s volleyball. That’s because—if you are visiting us from the moon—the program is very successful. Two former 49ers brought home silver medals from Beijing, and last year’s team “underachieved” because it didn’t make the Final Four. Rough crowd.
“We don’t think about last year,” says senior outside hitter Quincy Verdin, who will be expected to fill the void left by AVCA All-America hitter Alexis Crimes. “We don’t want to dwell on it. We’re a completely new team and just looking for a fresh start.”
For all intents and purposes, the 2008 49ers are a very talented squad, already making waves. Conference coaches ranked Long Beach State 2nd in a preseason poll, and the Beach will begin the year ranked #24 in the nation.
With eight holdovers and eight new faces (including five freshmen) suiting up, a fresh start is the easy part. The hard part will be getting the talented, new-look 49ers to play to their potential. Verdin isn’t worried about the team’s chemistry, and neither is head coach Brian Gimillaro.
“I’ve been coaching for thirty-something years [Ed note: 24 with the Beach, and 7 prior], and I still don’t know what ‘chemistry’ means,” he chuckles. “I know that if you win, you’ve got good chemistry and if you lose, you’ve got bad chemistry.”
Gimillaro would prefer you instead direct your attention to the discipline of his returners and the talent of his newcomers. With Verdin, hitter Naomi Washington, setter Nicole Vargas and defensive specialist Iris Murray leading by example, Gimillaro says his team is capable of beating anyone they face.
But even he isn’t quite sure of what he’s got, just yet. We’ll all get our first chance to find out during Friday’s doubleheader against San Francisco and Indiana, where the 49ers will be looking for the most cohesive combinations on the court.
“We’ll be able to tell right away. It has to do with the team movement,” Gimillaro says. “A team that works well together is ballet-like. We should look like an orchestra out there, not a mosh pit.”
“None of us can slack off, because Brian wouldn’t hesitate to take our spots,” Verdin says, who was the talented youngster on last year’s star-heavy squad, but has shed her typically shy demeanor and now speaks with the confidence of a true leader. Her trademark braces have disappeared, though her freckles still outnumber her years. “I’ll play wherever he puts me.”
Like Verdin says, there are no reserved spots, but here are the jerseys to keep your eyes on:
Quincy Verdin, MH – The 2007 All-Big West selection moves to middle blocker to display her punishing power and space-shuttle hops.
Naomi Washington, MB – Nagging injuries plagued last season, but the 6’4” junior is a defensive force at the net and packs a nasty punch.
Nicole Vargas, S – The senior has always had talented hitters to work with, and Gimillaro praises her off-season progress.
Iris Murray, DS – No reservations about handing Murray the job after she brilliantly filled in for injured DS Talaya Whitfield last season.
Caitlin Ledoux, OH – Expect the 6’2” freshman early and often, Gimillaro says. The next impressive freshman hitter after last year’s breakout star, Ashley Lee?
Cat Highmark, S – Highly decorated frosh from Arizona earns high praises from Verdin, and will spell Vargas.
Ya Chen Wang, MB – When you have a chance to play a 6’2” middle blocker, you make room for her. Washington and this Chinese-born transfer from Jefferson College in Missouri make an intimidating front line.
Nicole Moore, OH – Verdin says the 6”1’ outside hitter made the biggest individual improvement during the offseason
Ashley Lee, OH – Last year, ranked second in assists and digs and fourth in kills. As a freshman.