VOLLEYBALL : Long Beach Gives Montana Taste of Championship Play

Determined and confident, Montana quickly encountered the reality of women’s volleyball, West Coast style.

Defending national champion Long Beach State overwhelmed the Grizzlies, 15-10, 15-6, 15-8, Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament’s Northwest Regionals before 1,757 at the Pyramid.

“This was a little bit of a different level of play for them,” Long Beach Coach Brian Gimmillaro said. “We play a little faster and a little higher than they do.”

Junior outside hitter Brita Schwerm led the 49ers (26-5) with a match-high 17 kills. Senior middle blocker Traci Dahl had 12 kills and seven total blocks. Nichelle Burton--the 49ers’ senior All-American outside hitter and Big West Conference player of the year--also played well despite being slowed by a sprained right ankle. She contributed 11 kills and a match-high 13 digs.

Long Beach, ranked seventh in the nation and seeded second in the region, will be host for the regional semifinals and final this weekend.

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Cal State Northridge defeated San Jose State, 15-4, 15-13, 13-15, 15-6, at Kansas City to win the National Invitational Tournament.

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Cal State Bakersfield defeated Northern Colorado, 7-15, 18-16, 15-5, 15-13, in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II tournament at Bakersfield and will play Northern Michigan for the title tonight.