It was a reunion at the Gold Mine, as the Long Beach State women’s volleyball team lost in three sets to an alumni team highlighted by two-time Olympic gold medalist Misty May-Treanor on Saturday.
The 2010 49ers took the first set, 31-29, as freshmen Delainey Aigner-Swesy and Haleigh Hampton looked impressive early. The duo had a hand in 10 of the team’s 31 points.
Hampton, who was wearing a specially-fitted shoe, was taken out midway through the match because of a nagging foot injury. Starters Ashley Lee (pinkie) and Jocelyn Neely (ankle) did not play.
“Haleigh played OK for a little bit,” head coach Brian Gimmillaro said. “Delainey did fairly well for her first-ever [match].”
Fellow freshman Chelsea Cabrajac played for the shorthanded alumni team, giving Gimmillaro a longer look at her abilities.
The alumni, who also featured assistant coach Erika Chidester and recent alums Quincy Verdin and Iris Murray, won the final two sets, 27-25 and 25-20, respectively.
The crowd of 716 gave May-Treanor the loudest cheers of the night, as the 33-year-old was competing in her first indoor event since 1999.
May-Treanor, who attended the 49ers’ practice yesterday, said she was impressed with the 2010 team’s size and expected them to win the Big West Conference this season.
“All the girls are getting more physical, taller and the game has changed,” May-Treanor said. “It’s fun to play with the women I wasn’t able to play with.”
As for her playing days, she said she hasn’t given the 2012 London Olympics any thought.
“I have not even revisited London,” May-Treanor said. “London’s not even in my radar.”
May-Treanor won Olympic gold in 2004 and again in 2008 with teammate Kerri Walsh-Jennings.
The 49ers will open the season against Rutgers next Friday at the Walter Pyramid. First serve is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. LBSU will return to the court later that day against UNLV at 7 p.m.
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