Box Score

HONOLULU – The Warrior volleyball team returned from a two week hiatus and could not shake the rust or Long Beach State, falling to the 12th ranked 49ers in four sets despite 25 kills from All-American outside hitter Costas Theocharidis, 30-26, 26-30, 36-34, and 31-29, at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Theocharidis, a native of Orestiada, Greece, jumped-out to a torrid start, putting down nine kills in 17 swings in the first set to register a .471 attack percentage. Unfortunately, the rest of the Warriors struggled, as Hawai'i finished with a .135 hitting percentage in the first set.

Freshman reserve setter Daniel Rasay entered for starter Kimo Tuyay with Long Beach State leading 9-7 in the second set and proceeded to lead the Warriors to a .467 attack percentage and a 30-26 win. The duo saw action in three games apiece during the night, with Rasay dishing-out 34 assists, and Tuyay, 25.

Game three saw the Warriors and 49ers battle through 70 points, as Long Beach State took the set, 36-34. Theocharidis upped his match-high kill total to 23 through three sets, putting-up seven block assists in the process.

But the Warriors could not overcome Long Beach State's attacking consistency. The 49ers hit .303, .306, .372, and .351 over the four sets as four different players registered double-digits in kills, led by Nicholas Marbach's 23.

On the night, Theocharidis finished with nine block assists and total blocks, establishing personal single-match highs for both.

Hawai'i junior Eyal Zimet posted 15 kills hitting .440 on the night.

The loss ended Hawai'i's six match MPSF win streak, and handed them their first league loss of the year, leaving the conference with no unbeaten teams.

The 49ers and Warriors will renew their series on Friday night, beginning at 7:00 pm at the Sheriff Center.