Sophomore Janisa Johnson led the Long Beach State women’s volleyball team Friday night to its first road victory over Pacific in three years.
The sophomore outside hitter collected a double-double in the 49ers’ 25-14, 21-25, 25-18, 25-19 victory over the Tigers at the Alex G. Spanos Center in Stockton.
Johnson finished with match highs of 16 kills and 21 digs to go with a .324 hitting percentage for LBSU (18-6, 8-3 Big West Conference). Caitlin Ledoux (15 kills and 13 digs) and Ashley Lee (39 assists and 14 digs) also posted double-doubles.
Pacific (16-9, 7-5 Big West) was paced by Samantha Misa’s 11 kills and 18 digs. The 49ers were able to limit Tigers star outside hitter Svenja Engelhardt to 11 kills on -.051 hitting.
Cal State Fullerton (20-5, 9-2 Big West) swept its road match Friday at UC Davis to remain a game ahead of LBSU in the Big West standings.
The 49ers stormed out to an 8-0 lead in the final set but the Tigers chipped away to pull within three points. Leading 15-12, LBSU went on a 9-3 run to take its largest lead of the frame and pull away.
The ‘Niners overcame their own serving issues to post a 25-18 victory in set three.
LBSU committed six of its seven service errors in the set to keep Pacific in the contest. With a 21-17 lead heading into a timeout, the 49ers received help of their own with three Tigers hitting errors as part of a 4-1 run to close the set.
The teams battled to seven ties in set two — the last coming at 19 — before Pacific won, 25-21, to tie the match at a set apiece.
The Tigers hit .275 and made just three errors in the frame to bounce back from a woeful -.049 clip and nine errors in the opening set.
LBSU won the first set, 25-14, and limited Pacific to just seven kills. The 49ers raced out to a 13-5 lead and never looked back.
The 49ers and Titans will now trade places Saturday night. LBSU will head to UC Davis to face the Aggies, who have never beaten the 49ers in 12 meetings. Meanwhile, CSUF will face Pacific, which was swept earlier this season in Fullerton.
Both matches are scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
Disclaimer: The Daily 49er is not responsible for Postings made on www.daily49er.wpengine.com. Persons commenting are solely responsible for Postings made on this website. Persons commenting agree to the Terms of Use of the website. If Postings do not abide by the Rules of Conduct or Posting Regulations as listed in the Postings Policy, the Daily 49er has all rights to delete Postings as it deems necessary. The Daily 49er strongly advises individuals to not abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid language suggestive of hate speech. This site also encourages users to make Postings relevant to the article or other Postings.
