LONG BEACH, Calif. — No. 2 Long Beach State honored one of its all-time greats Friday night, unveiling Long Beach legend Paul Lotman’s jersey before delivering a commanding sweep of No. 16 Penn State, 26-24, 25-18, 25-19, at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid. Prior to first serve, the program recognized Lotman, a Lakewood native who starred for The Beach from 2005 through 2008 wearing No. 2. One of the most dynamic six-rotation outside hitters in program history, Lotman earned 2008 AVCA Co-Player of the Year, MPSF Player of the Year and AVCA First Team All-American honors while leading Long Beach State to the NCAA Championship semifinals. He concluded his collegiate career with 1,408 kills and 135 service aces before going on to represent the United States internationally, highlighted by competing in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, serving as an alternate for the 2016 Olympic Team, and helping Team USA capture World League gold in 2014 and World Cup gold in 2015.

With the victory, the Beach improved to 12-2 overall and 4-0 in conference play, while Penn State dropped to 11-5.

Long Beach State hit .244 as a team with 34 kills on 78 swings, outpacing the Nittany Lions, who were limited to a .113 clip and just 24 kills. The Beach also controlled the net with 11.0 total team blocks compared to Penn State’s 7.0 and generated 13 service aces to consistently apply pressure from the end line.

Skyler Varga led the offense with 11 kills on 24 attempts, adding five digs and contributing in multiple rotations. Jackson Cryst was efficient, posting three kills on just five swings without an error for a .600 hitting percentage, while also recording five service aces. Alex Kandev added six kills at a .364 clip, and Wojciech Gajek chipped in six kills and a match-high four block assists.

Setter Jake Pazanti orchestrated the offense with 27 assists, guiding Long Beach State to a .333 hitting percentage in the second set and .231 in the third. Libero Kellen Larson anchored the back row with a .929 reception percentage.

The opening set featured 15 ties and three lead changes, underscoring the back-and-forth nature of the frame. Neither side led by more than three points until late. Trailing 24-23, Long Beach State capitalized on a successful challenge that reversed a Penn State point, then closed the set on consecutive scores, including a Kandev service ace, to secure the 26-24 win.

The Beach found their rhythm in the second set, hitting .333 with 12 kills against four errors. A mid-set serving run by Braedon Marquardt, highlighted by a pair of aces, helped stretch the lead to 20-15. From there, Long Beach State sided out efficiently and finished the frame 25-18, holding Penn State to a .048 attack percentage.

In the third set, Long Beach State methodically created separation after a tightly contested start. With the score tied at 17-17, the Beach capitalized on a key kill from Connor Bloom and then gained additional breathing room behind a Gajek service ace that extended the lead to 19-17. After trading service errors, Long Beach State continued to apply pressure in transition, using disciplined blocking and controlled serving to stretch the advantage to 23-19. Consecutive Penn State attack errors brought up match point, and a Cryst service ace sealed the 25-19 victory.

Sean Harvey led Penn State with seven kills, while Matthew Luoma added seven of his own. However, Long Beach State’s defensive pressure and serving consistency prevented the Nittany Lions from establishing sustained offensive runs.

Overall, Long Beach State won the sideout battle in every set and held Penn State below .100 hitting in two of the three frames, demonstrating control in serve-receive, transition, and at the net throughout the straight-set victory.