There may not be a more important regular season match the rest of the year for the No. 24 Long Beach State women’s volleyball team than Friday’s meeting with No. 14 Colorado State.
Big West Conference play will determine the league’s automatic qualifier for the 64-team NCAA tournament, but the 49ers might as well take a screenshot of their top 25 ranking if they lose to the Rams.
With a loss, LBSU (6-2) could be out of the top 25 for good considering the strength of the Big West, as opposed to the rest of the conferences with a better position in the NCAA hierarchy. The level of competition takes a significant drop in the bottom half of the Big West. Last season, just the 49ers and UC Santa Barbara qualified for the NCAA tournament despite UC Irvine’s identical record with the Gauchos.
The only exception would be a “quality” loss. For instance, if LBSU lost in five sets — a la the road match against then-No. 2 Texas earlier this year — then the team probably wouldn’t lose its ranking.
A victory, however, undoubtedly would move the ‘Niners up a few spots and keep alive the team’s chances of hosting an NCAA regional.
Depending on how conference play shakes out — and where Southern California schools like No. 7 USC (7-0) and No. 13 UCLA (7-1) finish in the rankings — The Beach could then force the NCAA’s hand by the time the committee meets to decide the first- and second-round sites. It would also depend on how many California schools qualify for the tournament.
But, first, the 49ers need to worry about this week’s two-day, four-match trip in Colorado.
If LBSU wants to defeat Colorado State (8-1), then the team needs to establish a rhythm with setter Ashley Lee. The 5-foot-9 senior, who has played just one match since returning from a broken right pinkie, was pulled late in her season debut last week against then-No. 25 San Diego and watched from the bench against Virginia.
Head coach Brian Gimmillaro wanted Lee to get in more practice time before returning to the lineup.
Now, it’s time to see if Lee can continue the momentum started by her backup, freshman Ashley Vazquez. I don’t think the 49ers will encounter a Wally Pipp/Lou Gehrig decision, but questions could arise if another top 25 opponent takes down LBSU with Vazquez on the bench.
Unlike her debut, though, Lee will first get a warmup of sorts. The 49ers will face unranked Virginia Commonwealth (1-10) at 11 a.m., and then Colorado State at 6 p.m. on Friday.
The Beach will conclude its Colorado trip on Saturday in Denver, where the ‘Niners will face Middle Tennessee State (7-4) at noon and Denver (6-6) at 6 p.m.
After a Sept. 24 match at Loyola Marymount, LBSU will open Big West action the following night at home against Cal State Fullerton. The 49ers were 8-0 at the Walter Pyramid against conference opponents last season.
By the time the date with the Titans rolls around, Gimmillaro’s team could be thinking about more than just a third consecutive Big West title.
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