WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL : CS Long Beach Sweeps Pacific

The second-ranked Cal State Long Beach women’s volleyball team defeated sixth-ranked Pacific Saturday night in what might turn out to be one of the 49ers’ most difficult tests of the regular season.

Behind Danielle Scott’s serving, the 49ers defeated the Tigers, 15-12, 15-7, 15-10 in a Big West Conference match before 1,201 at Long Beach.

“The good news is, we’re learning ways to win,” Coach Brian Gimmillaro said.

Scott, a two-time All-American senior middle blocker who leads Long Beach in kills, had only 12 kills, but she had five service aces.

Sophomore middle blocker Brita Schwerm had a career-high 13 kills and 14 digs to lead the 49ers.

Long Beach came from behind in all three games. In the third, the 49ers trailed, 9-6, but came back behind five kills by outside hitter Nichelle Burton.

Pacific is the highest-ranked team on the 49ers’ regular-season schedule. Long Beach is 8-0 overall and 2-0 in the Big West, Pacific is 5-3, 1-1. They play again Nov. 19, but its only other match against a team ranked in the top 10 will be when it plays host to ninth-ranked USC on Sept. 29.