Men's Sports, Men's Volleyball, Sports

49ers’ season likely over after first-round loss

The Long Beach State men’s volleyball team dissolved all hopes for its first Mountain Pacific Sports Federation title and an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament Saturday after falling to Pepperdine in four sets during the quarterfinals of the MPSF tournament.

Pepperdine (19-6) took an early advantage in the first set until a Cody Martin kill and block put LBSU up 13-9. Errors were forced on the Waves for a game point at 24-16, but they answered with a 6-0 run to cut the chase at 24-22. Jeff Ornee finally pushed a win for the 49ers at 25-22.

Both teams went neck-and-neck in the second set with nine tie scores, with neither team leading by more than four points. During the last 10 points scored, neither team led by more than one. The 49ers looked to snatch another set win as a Connor Olbright kill gave the 49ers a 24-22 advantage, but they handed the Waves a the win at 26-24 after committing the last four errors.

Momentum carried into the third set as the Waves led the entire time for a 25-23 victory.

The Waves were able to keep control of the match as they never allowed the 49ers to come closer than three points in the fourth set and ended the match and set at 25-20.

Taylor Crabb led the 49ers with 20 kills along with Martin’s 16 as Andrew Sato scored a match-high 17 digs.
Kyle Gerrans paced the Waves with 17 kills while Josh Taylor and Matt Tarantino also hit double figures with 14 and 10 kills respectively.

Pepperdine will proceed to semifinals as the 49ers will wait to see the outcome of the MPSF tourament. LBSU is technically not out of the running for a bid to the NCAA tournament, as there is still an at-large bid to be awarded. But  the 49ers’ chances are slim at best, and their season is likely over.

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