It has been two consecutive years since the Long Beach State women’s volleyball team advanced to the NCAA postseason, making it head coach Brian Gimmillaro’s first time missing out on the tournament back-to-back in his 29-year tenure at the school.
“I believe in our coaching, what we teach and how we teach,” Gimmillaro said. “We have a reputation of having a great program, and we always work hard to be the best we can be.”
The program has five national championships, 12 Big West Conference titles and 26 NCAA tournament appearances, most of which happened under Gimmillaro. His resume and confidence in his coaching staff allow him to look to his 30th year with the program to be one with more success as he returns seven players and eight new recruits.
The Beach welcomes two international players: freshman Anete Brinke from Latvia and sophomore Sophie Bukovec from Canada, both competed against each other with their national team in the 2014 FIVB World Championships. Both girls have extensive experience on the sand and hardwood.
Bukovec competed in five junior world sand championships and has been on Canada’s national team for two years. Brinke was named one of the MVP’s of the 2014 Latvian Championship and was on the beach volleyball junior national team in 2010.
LBSU also added Los Alamitos native Lindsey Lawmaster, who transferred from Minnesota after contributing as the Gophers’ libero over the last two years.
Freshman Ashley Murray of Bishop Montgomery High School will be expected to immediately contribute on the court with Gimmillaro looking to play her in the middle. Murray helped her team reach the second round of the CIF Southern Section playoffs and was an All-League selection as a freshman and sophomore.
The team will also return four seniors, including All-Region Chisom Okpala to help aid the incoming recruiting class.
“We have a very solid senior class, so that’s helpful,” Gimmillaro said. “We have a lot of young players, but also a lot of experience.”
The team is putting in a hefty amount of time and work and is eager to have a winning season. And the mutual respect between the players and coaching staff will play a hand in reaching the 49ers’ ultimate goal: the national championships.
“The team is progressing because of their work ethic and determination,” Gimmillaro told the athletics department. “Their desire to continue getting better is obvious and we are taking the steps to continue on that path.”