Long Beach State Clinches Fourth NCAA Men’s Volleyball Championship

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Long Beach State celebrates their fourth NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship title.

News Summary

Long Beach State has triumphed over UCLA to secure its fourth NCAA Men’s Volleyball Championship title with set scores of 25-17, 25-23, and 25-21. Freshman Moni Nikolov played a pivotal role in the victory, leading his team with impressive stats. The win marks Long Beach State’s first championship since 2019 and reinforces their dominance in collegiate volleyball. The match showcased high-level play from both teams, but ultimately, Long Beach State outperformed UCLA, denying them a chance for a three-peat. This victory also saw Nikolov set a record for service aces in a single season for Long Beach State.

Long Beach, CA – Long Beach State has clinched its fourth NCAA Men’s Volleyball Championship, defeating UCLA in a decisive match with set scores of 25-17, 25-23, and 25-21. This victory marks the team’s first championship win since 2019, reinforcing their reputation as a powerhouse in collegiate volleyball.

Freshman Moni Nikolov was a standout performer, leading his team with six kills, four aces, and two digs. He made an impact early in the match by serving an opening ace and concluded the match with a pivotal kill against UCLA. Despite facing a five-point deficit at one point in the match, Nikolov remained confident in his team’s ability to turn the game around.

The match saw UCLA initially leading the second set 18-13, but Long Beach State countered with a strong comeback, outscoring the Bruins 12-5 to take the set. The Beach maintained a consistent advantage in the third set, aided by Alex Kandev, who recorded an impressive .452 hitting percentage. Long Beach State displayed a high level of play throughout, ultimately outhitting UCLA with a percentage of .354 compared to the Bruins’ .192.

This championship victory adds to Long Beach State’s history, with previous titles won in 1991 and 2018. The 1991 championship was notably the year current head coach Alan Knipe played for the team, creating a legacy connection between the past and present. This year’s win denies UCLA a chance to secure a third consecutive title after their victories in 2023 and 2024.

UCLA’s season concluded with a record of 22-7, marking a strong year despite the championship loss. The Bruins had one of the highest hitting efficiencies in the country, but during the match against Long Beach State, they committed a total of 15 attack errors, 10 of which happened in the crucial second set. Cooper Robinson, UCLA’s standout player and MPSF Player of the Year, had a solid performance with a hitting percentage of .381 but faced challenges along with his team due to turnovers and a struggling backline defense, which recorded only three digs throughout the match.

Both teams reached the championship after strong performances against Fort Valley State and Pepperdine in earlier tournament rounds, with Long Beach State only dropping one set leading up to the championship match. The final against UCLA was the third meeting of the season between the two teams, and Long Beach State commanded a 9-1 set advantage over the Bruins in their encounters.

Nikolov also made history during the match by setting the record for single-season service aces for Long Beach State in his freshman year, showcasing his potential and skill on the court. The combination of excellent teamwork, resilience, and individual excellence played a significant role in Long Beach State claiming the NCAA title once again.