LONG BEACH, Calif. — Santa Clara volleyball began postseason play with one of its most thrilling matches of the 2019 season on Wednesday night. The Broncos went from holding a two-set lead to fighting off match point in the fifth for a 25-20, 25-23, 22-25, 23-25, 16-14 victory over Long Beach State in the first round of the NIVC at Walter Pyramid.
Julia Sangiacomo's fifth-set kill kept the Broncos (21-11) alive and tied the frame at 14-all, then the freshman came through again on the next point to put Santa Clara ahead 15-14. Following a Long Beach State timeout, Michelle Shaffer's serve clipped the net and found the floor for a match-clinching ace.