A Long Beach State team is headed to Nebraska to compete in a tournament; unfortunately it’s not the Dirtbags playing in the College World Series.
We will have to wait until June 2007 for a chance at that.
Instead, the women’s volleyball team is headed to the Cornhusker State to play in the Nebraska Tournament.
LBSU will face Middle Tennessee State Friday, St. Mary’s Saturday and tournament host No. 1 Nebraska Sunday.
The match against Nebraska will be the one LBSU volleyball fans are waiting for, and will be a great measuring stick to see where the team stands against the very best in the country.
Like LBSU, Nebraska has been a super power in collegiate volleyball, winning the National Championship in 1995 and 2000, and finishing as runners-up in 1989, 1996 and 2005.
It was because of LBSU that the Cornhuskers had to settle for second place in 1989. The Beach easily defeated the Cornhuskers 15-12, 15-0, 15-6, to win their first national championship.
Even though that happened 17 years ago, expect the loyal Nebraska fans, who have sold out the NU Coliseum 73 matches in a row, to be rooting for revenge when the two sides hit the court Sunday.
This year’s Cornhuskers squad features two experienced middle blockers, Tracy Stalls and Amanda Gates.
Last year Stalls averaged 1.59 blocks a match, and had four or more blocks in nine of Nebraska’s last 10 games. She is also a former U.S. National team member.
Next to Stalls will be Gates, who showed the University of San Diego how strong she is in the air Tuesday, with a career-high 10 blocks.
The Cornhuskers are not as strong as they could be at the outside hitter position, because 2005 National Player of the Year Christina Houghtelling underwent season ending shoulder surgery in July.
Nebraska does still have Jordan Larson, who last year was named Big 12 Freshman of Year. Larson averaged 2.82 kills and 2.79 digs per game in 2005.
At setter, it looks as if redshirt freshman Rachel Holloway have stolen the starting role away from last year’s starter Maggie Griffin. Holloway got the nod in the Cornhuskers opener against USD, compiling 37 assists.
Before the anticipated match between Nebraska, LBSU will have to be careful not to look past MTSU or St. Mary’s.
MTSU is coming off a 28-4 campaign in 2005, playing in the not so difficult Sun Belt Conference.
The Blue Raiders have jumped out to a good start this year, winning their first three matches.
St. Mary’s finished 19-10 last year and have also have started the 2006 campaign with a 3-0 record.
See how the volleyball team faired in the Nebraska Tournament at Daily49er.com.