There was some heavy star power in the Walter Pyramid at Long Beach State on Thursday night, as popular rapper Drake was on hand to see his goddaughter Ashley Murray play with the 49ers women’s volleyball team. The 49ers, buoyed more by a lineup change than by the multi-platinum recording artist’s appearance, played their best match of the season, upsetting No. 25 LMU, 25-17, 27-25, 25-13.
“We were healthy enough to make a lineup change and get the group out there I’ve wanted to see all season,” said head coach Brian Gimmillaro.
With libero Mykah Wilson healthy, Gimmillaro had her on the floor to improve the team’s passing. That also moved true freshman Hailey Harward from the back row to outside hitter, allowing Anete Brinke to play on the right.
The result was incredible—a team that picked up its first-ever losses to Colorado and Portland State was suddenly unstoppable against a nationally-ranked Lions team. The 49ers outhit LMU .407 to .153, outblocking them 13-1.
It didn’t hurt that they also played in front of their biggest crowd of the year, as hundreds of students flocked from the LBSU dorms after hearing about Drake’s presence.
“It’s nice to have a big crowd,” said Nele Barber, who led the 49ers with 17 kills. “A big crowd pumps you up—hopefully some of them come back.”
Murray, Drake’s goddaughter, had her best game of the year, with 11 kills and six blocks on .526 hitting. After the match she went and grabbed Drake and brought him back to the locker room for postgame photos with the team (and some of her teammates’ younger siblings).
“When someone shows up for you, you want to show out for them,” she said.
The 49ers (3-3) will be back in the Pyramid for three matches over the next two days, facing Duke at 7 p.m. Friday and then a doubleheader Saturday with Pepperdine at 10 a.m. and Washington State at 7 p.m.
