The No. 9-ranked Long Beach State men’s volleyball team had its nine-game winning streak over No. 15-ranked Pacific snapped Saturday evening at the Walter Pyramid.
The 49ers were defeated in four sets 25-19, 21-25, 23-25, 19-25, losing to the Tigers for the first time since the 2007 season.
LBSU (5-6, 1-5 MPSF) got off to a strong start, controlling the first set on its way to an easy 25-19 opening frame victory. Middle blockers, senior Ryan Meehan and sophomore Jeff Ornee swung their way to seven kills on 10 swings to lead the ‘Niners.
The second set was a close, back-to-back battle. Pacific (4-8, 2-5 MPSF) opened a 12-9 lead mid-way through the set, but LBSU was able to mount a 6-3 run to tie the set at 15 apiece. The Tigers then went on a 4-1 run of their own, and eventually secured the set.
The third set was more of the same, with the score even at 10, the Tigers used back-to-back kills from Sean Daley to retake the lead. LBSU took a 17-16 advantage late in the frame, but were unable to hold off Pacific’s attack.
Again, the fourth set was tied at 10, but this time, the Tigers went on an 11-5 run to take a 21-15 lead. Pacific never looked back on its way to the four-set victory.
Sophomore Taylor Crabb recorded his second straight double-double with a team-high 14 kills and 11 digs. Senior Jim Baughman finished with 13 kills for the match. Ornee pitched in nine kills and five blocks, while Meehan had nine kills, three blocks and two aces.
Pacific was led by Florian Gornik who compiled a match-high 20 kills, while picking up eight digs and seven blocks. The Tigers hit .321 for the match.
The 49ers will look to bounce back against No. 1-ranked UCLA on Tuesday night. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Walter Pyramid.
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