Long Beach State Eliminated by Stanford

Long Beach State’s Hawaiian getaway ended two days earlier than the 49ers wanted late Thursday night.

Stanford got 27 kills from All-American Logan Tom and 14 from All-American Kerri Walsh in a 15-10, 15-10, 15-3 victory over the 49ers in the semifinals of the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at Honolulu.

It was the third time this decade that Stanford defeated Long Beach in the semifinals.

The Cardinal also won in 1992 and 1997, and won the national championship both years.

Second-ranked Stanford (31-2) will play top-ranked Penn State (35-1) tonight.

All-American middle blocker Cheryl Weaver led the 49ers with 11 kills.

Tonight’s final features the country’s top two players.

Walsh and the Nittany Lions’ Lauren Cacciamani were named the American Volleyball Coaches Assn. co-players of the year.

The Cardinal is in the championship match for the eighth time. Stanford has won all four of its national championships this decade.

Penn State has been in the final three other times, all this decade, but has yet to win a championship.

In 1997, Penn State lost to Stanford in five games in the championship match.