Big West On Twitter
The Big West Conference is excited to bring Big West Live to Twitter, a Twitter feed designed to give fans an in-the-stands view of select Big West Events. Bringing near-instantaneous photos, commentary, and updates, Big West Live is the first feed of its kind. Moving beyond the scores and stats, Big West Live delivers the color of Big West events. On Saturday, September 19, Big West Live will broadcast from Titan Gym beginning at 5:00 p.m. PT when Long Beach State takes on No. 7 UCLA in the first match of the night from the Fullerton Classic. Following the 49ers and Bruins, Cal State Fullerton will host Fordham in the second match of the night.
Tournament Champs
UC Irvine and Pacific both claimed their respective tournament titles last week after posting 3-0 records. The Anteaters defeated Boise State, Houston and host Loyola Marymount in the LMU/LAX Sheraton Classic to collect their third straight title this season. Competing in the Miami (Ohio) Tournament, Pacific won three in-a-row against Troy, St. John's and Miami for their second championship of the new year.
Washington's Record-Setting Performance
Naomi Washington had the opportunity to play in front of her hometown fans last weekend when Long Beach State headed to New Orleans, La., for the Tulane Sugarbowl Classic. The senior middle blocker did not disappoint, she guided the 49ers to a 2-1 mark and set a career high in kills in the final match of the tournament. Her 29 kills led LBSU to a 3-2 victory over host Tulane, which snapped a 25-match home win streak.
Moving On Up
Following their third tournament title of the 2009 season, UC Irvine (9-1) jumped two spots to 18th in the AVCA Poll. The Anteaters lone loss was to then-ranked No. 15 USC last week. This year marks the first time UC Irvine has graced the Top 25 rankings since 1988. Big West members Long Beach State and UC Santa Barbara are receiving votes in this week's poll as well.
Tangle With The Top 25
For the third time this season, the No. 18 UC Irvine Anteaters will face a Top 25 opponent. In their opening weekend they upset then-No. 6 California, but fumbled against No. 15 USC to own a 1-1 mark against nationally ranked opponents. This Thursday, UC Irvine travels to San Diego to face the 23rd-ranked Toreros. The Big West Conference is 2-2 against San Diego this season.
Also tackling a top 25 team this week is Long Beach State. The 49ers are set to face No. 7 UCLA in the second day of the Brea Embassy Suites Fullerton Classic. The two teams battle at Titan Gym at 5:00 p.m. Long Beach State is 0-2 against Top 25 competition this season.
Acing the Competition
With three of the top four conference statistical leaders in service aces, Pacific owns the top spot with 2.28 aces per game, which is good enough for third in the nation. Mallori Gibson paces the Tigers and ranks second in the Big West Conference with a .55 average, followed by Svenja Engelhardt (3rd - .48) and Rebekah Torres (T5th - .45).
Home Sweet Home
After three straight weeks filled with road trips across the western states, Cal Poly, Cal State Northridge and UC Santa Barbara open the home portion of their schedules this week. The Mustangs begin their home season with the Mission Inn of Pismo Beach Invitational where they welcome Seattle, Santa Clara and Idaho to Mott Gym. The two-day tournament runs Friday, Sept. 18-Saturday, Sept. 19.
The Matadors of Cal State Northridge are hosting a pair of contests this weekend when Fresno State (9/18) and Portland (9/19) visit The Matadome. UC Santa Barbara makes a quick stop on its home court - The Thunderdome - to host Santa Clara Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 7:00 before heading back on the road to participate in Cal Poly's event.
Following this week's events, UC Davis remains the lone Big West team that has yet to play in front of their hometown fans. The Aggies first home contest is slated for Thursday, Sept. 24 when they open conference play against Pacific.
Fullerton's Zimmerman Eyeing 100th Career Win
Current head coach Carolyn Zimmerman, the all-time winningest coach in Cal State Fullerton history, and her Titan volleyball team own a 7-3 record thus far this season. The seven wins bumps Zimmerman's career win total to 97. Currently in her eighth year at the helm of the Cal State Fullerton program, Zimmerman has guided the Titans to a .500-or-better overall record four of the last five seasons.
Titan Trio
Three Cal State Fullerton players sits atop the Big West statistics in their respective categories. Erin Saddler owns a league-best 5.03 kill average, Andrea Ragan averages 11.71 assists per set and Cami Croteau has tallied 4.97 digs per set to pace the conference. With the help of the Titan trio, Cal State Fullerton holds a team high in kills, assists and digs.
Cal Poly, UC Irvine Welcome Top Newcomers
In the annual prepvolleyball.com Top 30 recruiting class poll, two Big West Conference teams made the cut - Cal Poly and UC Irvine. The Mustangs were selected ninth overall, while the Anteaters were tabbed 24th. Four other Big West schools received various honorable mention honors - UC Santa Barbara, Pacific, UC Davis and Long Beach State.
49ers Return To The Court As Conference Favorite
The Long Beach State womens volleyball team was selected to win its second straight, 10th overall, Big West Championship after receiving four first-place votes and 75 total points, according to the conference coaches in the annual Big West womens volleyball preseason coaches poll. The 49ers, looking to secure a 23rd consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2009, enter the season as defending Big West champions after capturing their ninth title a season ago with a 13-3 conference mark.