The departure of one of the greatest players in Long Beach State women’s volleyball history, senior outside hitter Caitlin Ledoux, and fellow classmate Lauren Minkel leaves this team in the hands of more than “A Few Good Women” for next season.
Ledoux is one of five players in 49ers history to have finished her career with at least 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs. Ledoux tied Cheryl Weaver for fifth all-time on the LBSU career kills list with 1,589 and is among the top 10 in career digs with 1,101.
She is also one of only three 49ers in history [Alexis Crimes and Misty May-Treanor] to be named to the All-Big West Conference first team in four consecutive seasons.
Minkel lived up to all the intangibles and leadership that is expected out of the libero position. She finished 34 digs short of the school record, amassing 1,653 for her career.
The 2011 season was one to be remembered for the 49ers. They posted a 23-7 record overall, including a 14-2 mark in the Big West, giving them their 12th conference title. The Ledoux-led Beach squad also ran off 15 consecutive victories — the longest LBSU winning streak in 10 years.
As easy as it seemed for the ‘Niners, they were thrown a few curveballs along the way. The Beach was more injured than healthy throughout the season, which makes its 23-7 mark even more admirable. Ledoux, Haleigh Hampton, Janisa Johnson and Alma Serna sustained significant injuries that caused them to miss a considerable amount of match and practice time.
Not to mention, fifth-year co-captain Michelle Osunbor and senior Jocelyn Neely were unable to play a single set due to season-ending injuries.
The question bears asking, if this LBSU team was injury-free for the entire year, what would this past season have looked like?
Maybe, the 49ers would have gone undefeated in Big West play, instead of losing to two opponents (UC Santa Barbara and UC Riverside) they would decisively beat later in the season when they were closer to full strength. Had they gone 16-0 in conference, though, the ‘Niners’ Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) ranking would’ve been higher, and as a result, they would’ve faced a far more favorable opponent in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Unfortunately for the 49ers, though, it’s too late to think about what could’ve been had they not faced the No. 20-ranked University of San Diego for the second consecutive season and lost.
Looking in the rearview is not an option for this squad. It’s all about the future, and what obstacles it must overcome moving forward. Next year’s 49ers will have to move on without Ledoux, Minkel, Osunbor and Neely, but that shouldn‘t be as much of a problem as it may seem given the young talent on this team.
The young and not-so-restless
LBSU head coach Brian Gimmillaro has put together a solid group of young players who are poised for breakout seasons in 2012, if they hadn’t already made their mark in 2011.
Despite a multitude of injuries, the underclassmen put in a lot of work this season, and it showed in their performance.
The middle blocking positions are set with sophomore Hampton and freshman Serna providing the roof over the heads of their teammates. Hampton recorded a team-high of 330 kills and finished first in the Big West in blocking with 184.
Hampton was also named first team All-Big West for the second consecutive season. Serna played through multiple injuries over the course of the season, and still finished second behind Hampton on the Big West blocks list with 149.
Freshman setter Erin Juley’s 1146 assists helped lead the ‘Niners to a .253 hitting percentage, which was good for first in conference play. Juley took over the position from sophomore Ashley Vazquez with her stellar performance against then No. 7 Washington, and played every set from that point on.
A possible replacement at the libero position could be freshman serve-specialist Tyler Jackson. Jackson led the team with 29 aces on the season. She was also one of six players to make an appearance in every match.
Sophomore outside hitter Delainey Aigner-Swesey who had 130 kills as a freshman, built upon her stellar opening season, finishing this season with 224 kills. Freshman outside hitter Bre Mackie came on strong in the absence of Ledoux early in the season, too, recording 126 kills in just 76 sets. Mackie also came up with 68 blocks on the season.
Junior outside hitter Janisa Johnson is the most experienced player returning next season for The Beach. Johnson was third on the team in kills with 258 and second on the team in digs with 350. Just as Ledoux was this season, Johnson will be looked to as the team leader in 2012.
A look at a couple LBSU recruits
The ‘Niners recently signed 6-0 outside hitter Alex Reid and 6-4 middle blocker Tiara Wallace for the 2012 season. Both were on the America Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American watch list. They were also named to Prep Volleyball’s “Senior Aces,” listing the top prep recruits in the country.
Despite the loss of four key ingredients, this team has been left in good hands. The combination of talent and Gimmillaro’s ability to get the most out of hi
s players make the ‘Niners the favorite to win their 13th Big West title. The 49ers should also expect to make their 26th straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Next season won’t be a walk in the park, but opposing teams won’t be looking forward to a trip to The Beach.
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