The Long Beach State men’s volleyball team transformed the Black and Blue Rivalry Series into a bright one as it swept two-time defending national champion UC Irvine to kick off an eight-game homestand.
LBSU (8-4, 7-4 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) is happy to finally be able to take a break from traveling and play in the comfort of its own home.
“The difference with playing at home is that it’s just comforting when we walk in here on game days,” senior Taylor Crabb said. “It’s always nice to have the fans behind us instead of against us.”
Crabb, the only 49er to register double digits in kills, carried his team with 19 kills and hit a .485 clip.
The night seemed bleak as the 49ers trailed the entire first set until Crabb showcased an ace serve followed by a kill off an Anteater’s shoulder and gave his team its first lead at 21-20. The team’s good defense allowed Crabb to score three more points to snatch the winning set at 25-23.
The 49ers continued to prevail as their momentum helped them cruise to a quick 25-16 conquest in the second set.
Although the night was in favor of the 49ers, the Anteaters (9-8, 6-7 MPSF) showed up with some guts in the third set as they allowed 10 tie scores and four lead changes and stayed in the lead for the first half of the set.
Jeff Ornee and Connor Olbright stayed aggressive at the net with consecutive blocks while Dalton Ammerman and Crabb took consistent swings. After Taylor Gregory put his team at match point with an ace, Irvine couldn’t hold on and ended the set at 25-22.
The 49ers look foward to the next seven matches at home and will continue aiming for victory.
“It’s definitely nice to know that we don’t have to hop in the vans for long hours for a long while,” head coach Alan Knipe said. “We will take advantage of playing at home and try to keep winning.”
The 49ers will face UC San Diego Friday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. inside the Walter Pyramid.