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Long Beach State men's volleyball begins season with two exhibition matches
The 49ers host British Columbia and Brandon University in exhibition matches next week.

The 49ers host British Columbia and Brandon University in exhibition matches next week.

Dec. 30, 2011

LONG BEACH - The Long Beach State men's volleyball team will open the 2012 season with a pair of exhibition matches as it is set to face the University of British Columbia on Tuesday, Jan. 3, before playing host to Brandon University on Jan. 4. First serve for both matches is 7 p.m. (PST).

LBSU, which was picked to finish sixth in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, welcomes back 12 letterwinners from a 2011 squad that went 15-14 overall and 12-10 in conference play. The 49ers advanced to the MPSF semifinals where they fell to eventual NCAA finalist UC Santa Barbara.

Senior opposite Jim Baughman is Long Beach State's returning kill leader as he averaged 3.27 kills per set. Also back for the 49ers is sophomore outside hitter Taylor Crabb, who was a 2011 All-MPSF honorable mention and MPSF All-Tournament selection. Crabb averaged 2.60 kills and 1.39 digs per set.

Other key returnees include senior outside hitter Brad Hemmerling (2.59 kills/set), senior middle blocker Ryan Meehan (1.16 blocks/set) and sophomore setter Connor Olbright (9.58 assists/set).

The University of British Columbia and Brandon University are both members of the Canada West University Athletic Association. UBC is ranked fifth in the nation and owns a 12-8 record. The Thunderbirds are led by David Zeyha, who is averaging 2.82 kills and 1.50 digs per set.

Paul Robidoux has paced Brandon University (8-9) with 2.87 kills and 2.22 digs per set, while Garrett Popplestone has dished out 10.51 assists per set.

 

 

Long Beach State officially opens the season at the UCSB/asics Invitational, Jan. 6-7. The 49ers will square off against Loyola-Chicago at 10 a.m. in the first round of the tournament on Friday, Jan. 6.
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