Senior outside hitter Elise Agi (middle) celebrates another point against CSUB during their first set. The Beach defeated the Roadrunners with a score of 3-2 on Oct. 25 at the Walter Pyramid. Rehansa Kulatilleke | Long Beach Current

Long Beach State’s women’s volleyball team (15-6), which was nearly upset at home, completed the reverse sweep, hosting Cal State Bakersfield (5-17) in a five-set finish at the Walter Pyramid on Saturday, Oct. 25.  

The Beach entered the matchup coming off a five-set conference loss on the road at Cal State Northridge. LBSU would have its second consecutive five-set game against another Big West conference rival. 

“It’s important that we learn from experiences now because it’s what we’re going to need to lean on when it’s a win or go home [game] for the Big West Tournament,” LBSU head coach Natalie Reagan said. “The important [goal] to us right now is the process, but stacking wins is also huge to get there.” 

The Beach started the first set late with a 5-1 deficit, led by three errors, followed by a quick timeout. The Beach kicked it back into gear, closing the gap to a two-point deficit, 13-11, after a challenged Roadrunners’ attack error was upheld under further review. 

The Roadrunners, feeding off a supportive traveling crowd at the Pyramid, had their largest lead of the set with nine points, ending the first set at 25-16.

“Sometimes you struggle in the beginning and try to get it going,” LBSU redshirt freshman Logan King said. “[It starts with] taking care of our touches, some plays were frantic and we were going for shots, trying to make plays that weren’t right for that specific situation.”

Neither team could take control of the second set until a kill from senior outside hitter Elise Agi forced the Roadrunners to regroup, with LBSU taking an 8-5 lead.

LBSU held the lead for most of the second set, but back-to-back kills from CSUB sophomore outside hitter Nicole Zake kept the Roadrunners clinging to LBSU’s 17-16 lead. 

In a set with only two lead changes, CSUB saw its third late in the second set, taking the lead and never looking back. An attack error by sophomore setter Madi Maxwell ended the second frame 25-22, entering the half with CSUB up 2-0.

“We all got on each other, we trust each other enough to be able to call each other out and say what needs to be fixed with no one taking offense,” Maxwell said. “It’s more of a motivator than it is to hurt someone.”

The third set opened up with four consecutive errors by the Roadrunners, providing The Beach with life at 7-2.

Senior outside hitter Elise Agi (left) and Senior middle blocker Nieko Thomas (right) blocks CSUB junior middle blocker Nele Broszat during the first set. LBSU defeats CSUB with a score of 3-2 at the Walter Pyramid on Oct. 25. Rehansa Kulatilleke | Long Beach Current

The tide quickly shifted against LBSU after a 5-0 run from CSUB. The Roadrunners’ 9-8 lead would lead to another competitive frame. 

The third set would see eight lead changes to go with 11 scores tied, but after a late timeout, LBSU finished the set strong with three consecutive points and a set-winning kill from Agi at 25-22, forcing a fourth set.

Agis’ momentum would carry into the fourth set, sparking a dominant run from the beginning of the set with a 14-4 lead behind Agis’ eight kills.

LBSU dominated the set, taking all momentum with a game-high 15-point lead, ultimately shutting it down, 25-13, to force a winner-takes-all fifth set.

Now, The Beach found themselves exactly where they were last game against CSUN on Oct. 23, with the start of another five-set finish. 

LBSU took control of the fifth frame, followed by a kill from King to put the team in front 6-3. 

A block by the freshman outside hitter Sidney Hamaker set The Beach up with a comfortable 11-6 lead with the game nearing a finish. 

A service ace from junior outside hitter Anabel Kotzakov closed out the game 15-9 in a five-set win over the Roadrunners.

“Pressure is a privilege,” Maxwell said. “Being down in two sets and having to come back in three sets, not a lot of people get to do that, so we just remind ourselves to be grateful.”

The Beach were grateful for Maxwell’s efforts as she put together a stellar triple-double stat line with 12 kills, 41 assists, and 17 digs, the first since 2012.

Agi’s game-high 23 kills and King’s 17 kills and 17 digs double-double also helped The Beach move to 8-2 in conference play. 

The Beach looks to build off this win as they travel to Cal State Fullerton for a Halloween Big West matchup on Oct. 31.