The emotional storylines for Senior Night are always pretty obvious: this year, it’s no different.  Three 49ers (Quincy Verdin, Nicole Vargas, and Iris Murray) may all be playing their last match in the ‘Myd.  Debbie Green, who’s been with the team for over two decades, could also be helping Brian Gimmillaro coach the team for the final time in the blue building.

“Oh, don’t even ask me about it,” said Quincy Verdin.  “I don’t want to think about it being the end.  I don’t know what I’m going to do.” 

What she’ll need to do is play one of the best matches of her stellar career if the 49ers are to snag a season-closing victory over No. 19 Colorado State.  The Rams have been ranked in the top 25 all season long, and have consistently played well against the nation’s best—they’re led by Mekana Barnes, an excellent middle blocker from Pasadena who leads the team in kills, blocks, and is second in aces.  She plays taller than her six-foot roster listing would indicate, and has caused fits for opponents this season, with an average of 3.4 kills and 1.5 blocks per set.

The Rams, who are 22-3 on the season, will present an enormous challenge for the 49ers, who recently clinched their first Big West title since 2001 with a win at Fullerton.  With the league title in hand, and an NCAA berth guaranteed, some might question why the team would schedule a national powerhouse to play in a hangnail game tonight.  There are a number of possible answers: first, it’s going to sell some tickets, as the LB crowds know how to show up for a big game.  Second, the team has looked a little lost in the NCAA tourney as of late, as they’ve struggled to adjust to the size and speed of some of the country’s best programs; scheduling the Rams tonight will make for a good warmup.  Finally, the NCAA brackets are being announced Sunday night instead of Sunday afternoon this year, supposedly so they can factor in the Saturday evening matches, a fact not lost on Gimmillaro.  If the 49ers can pull off an upset in the ‘Myd tonight, it’ll raise their seeding, and provide a good case for why they should host a Regional next weekend.  If they do, it’ll be at least one more match before Verdin, Murray, Vargas, and Green have to say goodbye.  If they don’t get the draw—well, come tonight, and enjoy ’em while they’re still around.