Long Beach State Gains Final Four

Long Beach State advanced to the NCAA women’s volleyball Final Four by defeating Texas A&M;, 15-4, 15-7, 15-13, in the Mountain Regional final at Honolulu.

The 49ers (31-3) defeated Colorado State in a semifinal and the Aggies beat host Hawaii, 15-9, 12-15, 15-9, 15-12.

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Middle hitter Lauren Cacciamani had 24 kills and setter Bonnie Bremner had 51 assists as No. 1 Penn State defeated No. 9 UCLA, 15-11, 15-9, 15-5, and won the Central Regional Friday night at University Park, Pa.

The Nittany Lions (34-1) earned a trip to the Final Four, which begins Thursday in Honolulu. It was Penn State’s 34th consecutive victory and 80th in a row at home.

UCLA (28-4), which earned a berth in the final with a victory over Pepperdine, was led by Kristee Porter, who had 22 kills, and Erika Selsor, who had 54 assists.

It was the Bruins’ first appearance in a regional final since 1995, when they lost to eventual national champion Nebraska.

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Stanford swept aside UC Santa Barbara, 15-12, 15-6, 15-10, in the Pacific Regional final at Palo Alto, earning the Cardinal a trip to the Final Four.

Stanford (30-2) was led by Lindsay Kagawa, who had 37 assists, and Logan Tom, who had 13 kills.

The Gauchos (29-6), who defeated Nebraska to advance to the final, were led by Brooke Rundle, who had 31 assists, and Roberta Gehlke, who had 22 kills.

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In the other regional, Florida defeated Brigham Young, 15-12, 15-8, 15-10, at Stockton. The Gators will play the winner of the Northern Iowa-Pacific match tonight for a spot in the Final Four.