Jan. 31, 2009
Box Score
Stockton, Calif. - No. 7 Long Beach State defeated Pacific by a score of 3-1, on Saturday, Jan. 31.
The loss brings the Tigers to 2-8 overall, and 0-5 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF). The 49ers increased to 4-4 overall, and 3-2 MPSF.
The set scores for the match were: 30-21, 30-28, 27-30, and 30-28.
Pacific scored the first three points of the set, on a kill by senior Joe Forbes (Westport, Conn.), a block assist by junior Kevin Pratte (Hemet, Calif.) and Forbes, and a kill from freshman Nicolaas Schenk (Kamuela, Hawaii). Moments later, though, Long Beach State scored five straight points to make the score 9-6. The Tigers were not able to get into a groove, falling behind by as much as seven, at 20-13, and eventually dropping the set, 30-21.
The Tigers and the 49ers went back and forth through nine tied scores during the second set. Pacific broke a 1-1 tie and brought the score to 3-1, on a kill from junior Clay Ostrander (Wheaton, Ill.) and a block by Forbes. Later, with the score at 10-10, Long Beach State scored two points making the score 12-10. This lead would start to increase, but the Tigers did not give up. They scored four straight points to bring the them within one, at 28-27. Pacific's run was fueled by a kill from junior Jason Borchin (Roseville, Calif.), another from Pratte, an error by Long Beach State, and a block assist by Ostrander and freshman Sean Daley (Moorpark, Calif.). But the Tigers would fall short, with the 49ers winning 30-28.
In the third set, the Tigers fell behind quickly, and soon were down 10-4. This time Pacific responded with the next three points on a kill from Ostrander, an error by the 49ers, followed by another kill from Ostrander, bringing the score to 10-7. Moments later, the Tigers went on another three point run to pull within two at 12-10, on a service error by Long Beach State, and two more kills from Ostrander. Trailing 17-14, Pacific scored five consecutive points on 49er errors to take the lead at 19-17. Long Beach State remained within two points until a kill from Forbes brought the score to 28-25. After the 49ers closed within one point at 28-27, the Tigers notched the last two points on a kill from Borchin and one from junior Mark Bauhs (Danville, Calif.), winning the set by a score of 30-27, forcing a fourth game.
In the fourth set, the Tigers gained a 8-4 lead, on a four point run via a service error by the 49ers, a service ace by Ostrander, a kill by Bauhs, and one by Pratte. Pacific surrendered the lead at 14-14. The score would go back and forth, fighting through six more ties, the last one at 21-21. Long Beach would score three straight points to gain a lead of three, at 24-21. The Tigers would force the 49ers into two errors and that would bring the score to 28-27. Moments later, the Tigers would score their last point of the set on a block by Ostrander, Forbes, and Pratte, bringing the score to 29-28. But Long Beach State scored the final point to win the set, 30-28, and the match, 3-1.
Ostrander led the Tigers with a match-high of 20 kills, and Borchin recorded 13 kills, and 12 digs.
Josh Riley led Long Beach State with 17 kills.
The Tigers will play next on Feb. 6 against UCLA in Los Angeles at 7 p.m.
