Our biggest fundraiser of the year is happening NOW! Make a tax-deductible donation to The562 during Long Beach Gives from Sept. 17-24. CLICK HERE to show your support for local journalism in Long Beach!
The562’s coverage of Long Beach State athletics for the 2026-27 season is sponsored by Marilyn Bohl.
The Long Beach State women’s volleyball team won its seventh straight match Thursday, sweeping Washington State 25-22, 25-19, 25-19 behind another balanced offensive performance and a series of late-set runs that kept the Cougars from finding their footing.
Chloe Johnson led Long Beach State (7-2) with nine kills on 18 attacks, while Pola Bujnarowska had seven kills on 10 swings. Kendal Murphy added seven kills, two aces and three blocks, and setter Madi Maxwell finished with 22 assists, 13 digs and three kills.
Washington State (5-4) appeared poised to steal the opening set when it took a 20-17 lead, but the Beach flipped the momentum in a hurry. Long Beach State scored five straight points, with Murphy delivering a kill and an ace during the run, to take a 22-17 advantage. The Cougars pulled within two late, but the Beach closed the door.
The second set was tied at 13-13 before Long Beach State again found another gear. The Beach scored six of the next seven points, getting a kill and an ace from Sidney Hamaker along the way, to take a 19-14 lead.
Hamaker finished with five kills, six digs and a match-high six blocks. Reagan Hope added four kills and five blocks, while Bujnarowska also had five blocks as Long Beach State made life difficult for Washington State at the net.
The Beach carried that momentum into the third set, jumping out to a 5-1 lead. Washington State battled back to within one at 12-11, but Long Beach State responded with another run, including a service ace from Izzy Mahaffey, to build a 19-13 cushion.
The Cougars never got closer than five points after that.
Bujnarowska put the finishing touch on the seventh straight victory with her seventh kill, assisted by Maxwell, sending the Beach into the weekend with another sweep.
The Beach will look to make it eight straight when they take on WSU again on Friday night.
