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Former Kent-Meridian star going into the Long Beach State Athletics Hall of Fame

Published 12:30 pm Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Former Kent-Meridian star going into the Long Beach State Athletics Hall of Fame
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Former Kent-Meridian star going into the Long Beach State Athletics Hall of Fame
Benishe Dillard-Roberts fires back a shot during her career at Long Beach State. She was the 49ers’ main force, leading the team with 405 kills in 1998 en route to an undefeated season and NCAA championship. COURTESY PHOTO, LBSU Athletics

Benishe Dillard-Roberts, a Kent-Meridian graduate and former star Royal athlete, is going into the Long Beach State University Athletics Hall of Fame for women’s volleyball.

Dillard-Roberts and her NCAA championship team from 1998 also will be inducted at a Nov. 8 ceremony in Long Beach.

One of the most iconic teams at Long Beach State, the ’98 49ers were the first to finish a Division I women’s volleyball season unbeaten, going 36-0 on the way to the national championship. Led by Misty May, Dillard-Roberts and Anja Grabovac, the 49ers were a dominant force, at one point winning 22 consecutive matches without dropping a set.

Dillard-Roberts was the top offensive weapon for the team, leading the 49ers with 405 kills in 1998. She earned All-America honors in 1997 and 1998 and was a three-time All-Big West selection.

For more information, visit longbeachstate.com.

To watch clips of the 1998 championship game, Long Beach vs. Penn State, visit youtube.com.

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