By snoadmin
After the final point in Saturday night’s NCAA women’s volleyball second round match, one team celebrated and a large contingency of the crowd cheered.
Unfortunately for Long Beach State, it was Hawaii’s women’s volleyball team and its fans that were basking in the glory of a four-game victory.
In front of 1,809 spectators at The Walter Pyramid Saturday night, No. 12 Hawaii (28-5) ended LBSU’s (26-6) season with a 30-28, 30-25, 24-30, 30-17 win and advanced to the regional semifinals of the NCAA Tournament.
“Hawaii was certainly stronger than us and out-played us in most areas,” said LBSU head coach Brian Gimmillaro. “Their game plan was good and it was well-coached and executed.”
In the opening game, The Beach was down 29-25, but with the help of Cynthia Buggs’ serve, LBSU turned away three game points to cut the deficit to one.
But the fourth game-point was the charm for Hawaii, with Sarah Mason slamming home a kill to win the game.
Game two was another tight affair, but Hawaii finished the game stronger, scoring seven of the last 10 points to win by five.
In game three, LBSU leaned on senior Robin Miramontes, who had nine kills in LBSU’s only game win of the night.
In the fourth and final game, Hawaii quickly ended any drama, jumping out to an 11-4 lead and then kept The Beach at bay for the most lopsided game of the night.
“It felt like old times playing with [Gimmillaro] and Long Beach State,” said Hawaii head coach David Shoji about the rich history between the two volleyball powerhouses. “I didn’t have the heart to tell our team that we never beat LBSU here [at The Walter Pyramid] or hardly at all in the NCAA Tournament. I feel fortunate to move on at this point.”
The Rainbow Wahine was led by Mason, who had 24 kills and 16 digs in the victory. The senior outside hitter hit the game-winners in all three of Hawaii’s game wins.
“It is an amazing feeling,” Mason said. “It was a good strategy. Give it to the senior to end it. Why not?”
Jamie Houston complemented Mason with 19 kills, hitting a .286 attacking percentage.
LBSU used a balanced attack, with Miramontes leading the team in kills with 13, and middle blockers Mischa Hasalikova and Alexis Crimes had 12 kills each. Team captain Mariko Crum chipped in with 11 kills.
For Crum, Saturday night marked the end of an illustrious volleyball career at The Beach.
“I’m convinced I went to the greatest women’s volleyball program in the history of NCAA volleyball,” Crum said. “I went through some tough times here, but I wouldn’t have taken it back for anything. This program isn’t for everybody. We don’t take weak people.”
When Gimmillaro was asked after the match what he thought of his team’s chances next year, he instead stayed focus on this year’s squad.
“I really liked this team,” Gimmillaro said.””I’ve been Mariko’s coach, but I’m going to be her lifelong friend. I just don’t want to let go of [this team] yet.”
