IRVINE — The Long Beach State women’s volleyball team put on a dominant team effort Tuesday night with a clean sweep over UC Irvine at the Bren Events Center.
The 49ers prevailed with a 25-10, 25-10 and 25-15 shellacking on UCI’s home floor.
LBSU head coach Brian Gimmillaro said it was good to see his team flowing together as a unit.
“We started moving better, Alma (Serna) practiced for the first time in months, and we got some speed going,” Gimmillaro said. “We got a little tired of being too passive and young, it was nice to see the speed.”
No player for The ‘Niners (9-6, 3-2 Big West Conference) had double-digit kills on the night, but 42 combined kills on .281 hitting proved to be too much for the Anteaters (5-9, 0-3 Big West) to handle.
The Beach held UCI to a dismal -.008 hitting percentage thanks to a solid defensive effort that produced nine blocks.
Junior outside hitter Janisa Jonhson barely missed her 11th double-double on the season, finishing with eight kills and 22 digs. Sophomore middle blocker Haleigh Hampton led The Beach with nine kills and five blocks on the evening.
Johnson echoed her coach’s sentiment about trying to play at a quicker pace.
“It was a goal for us [to play faster] because when we play slower we play out of rhythm,” she said.
The ‘Niners, which are still without star outside hitter Caitlin Ledoux (shin injury), received a key contribution from freshman outside hitter Bre Mackie on the right side, and Gimmillaro took notice.
“Bre did a really nice job,” Gimmillaro said. “I threw her into the fire there, but good kids sometimes do good things.”
The ‘Niners’ overcame a slow start early to take the first set easily from the Anteaters. The Beach put together a complete effort as they combined for 12 kills on 30 attempts (.400 hitting).
Hampton led the way for the 49ers with three kills on five attempts for a .600 clip in the first. She also added a couple blocks to end the set with five total points. Freshman setter Erin Juley recorded two key assists for the ‘Niners. Johnson continued her digging ways, collecting eight in the opening set.
Gimmillaro said liked the way his team responded to a devastating loss to UCR last Saturday, but criticized his own coaching style as of late.
“Maybe I needed to start coaching,” he said. “I’ve gotta coach so that I can do a better job of giving them my experience.”
Mackie owned the right side of the court in the second set, collecting four kills on nine attempts for .444 hitting. Johnson registered a team-high five points, and raised her dig total to 13. Juley continued to set up her hitters beautifully, tallying 10 more assists in the frame.
The Beach committed a few mental errors in the middle of the third set, but still brought home the sweep with ease. Juley passed her way to 33 assists on 81 attempts. Senior Libero Lauren Minkel finished an efficient game as she remained perfect on 13 serve attempts.
Johnson said she was relieved to win the match in such quick fashion.
“The days in between these games, we’re just gonna work on getting better and getting everyone healthy,” she said.
The ‘Niners will host Cal State Fullerton (8-8, 3-1 Big West) on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Walter Pyramid.
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