Sept. 14, 2002
Long Beach, Calif. – The South Carolina (6-3) volleyball team went 0-2 on their trip out west as they fell to fifth-ranked Long Beach State (8-0) 3-1. With scores of 21-30, 30-20, 25-30 and 20-30, the Gamecocks became only the third team this season to take a game from the 49er’s. Niece Curry led the Gamecocks with 14 kills, followed by Berna Dwyer with 13. Cally Plummer recorded 12 kills to move up to seventh on USC’s all-time career kill list with 1,098 and three block assists to move into the top ten.
The 49ers dominated game one as they out hit the Gamecocks 20-12 and hit .326 to USC’s .125. Long Beach’s Mitchell led the game with five kills. Carolina’s Plummer led the team in game one with three kills but also had three errors for a .000 percentage.
South Carolina fought back in game two as they picked up their first game win of the trip. The Gamecocks held Long Beach to just 20 points, the fewest amount of points the 49ers have scored in a game since the rally scoring point system was implemented last year. Carolina held the 49ers to just a .028 hitting percentage, allowing only 10 kills. At the end of game two, Plummer and Dwyer led both teams with seven kills apiece.
The 49ers bounced back and took game three 30-25. Down 25-18, The Gamecocks went on a 4-0 run to come within three and came within two at 27-25 but Long Beach held on and took a 2-1 lead in the match.
Carolina attempted to establish a lead early in the final game but Long Beach’s offense proved to be too much for the Gamecocks. Despite Carolina recording their highest hitting percentage of the match, .294 (13 k, 3 e, 34 ta), Long Beach was better as they hit .545 (21 k, 3 e, 33 ta).
Next up for the Gamecocks is Kentucky on Fri., Sept. 20 when Carolina opens up SEC play.
