LONG BEACH, Calif. — At 18-4 and ranked No. 3 in the nation, Long Beach State enters the weekend with one of the most complete statistical profiles in college volleyball, defined by elite serving, disciplined blocking, and efficient offense. The Beach will face No. 8 UC Santa Barbara in a two-match series, Friday at 7:00 PM at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid and Saturday at 7:00 PM at the Thunderdome, carrying both momentum and history into the matchup with a 64-42 all-time edge and eight straight wins in the series.<\/p>\n
RIGHT AWAY
\n\u2022 At 18-4 and ranked No. 3 nationally, Long Beach State has built one of the most complete profiles in the country<\/p>\n
\u2022 The Beach are hitting .354 while holding opponents to .227, controlling matches on both sides of the ball<\/p>\n
\u2022 The identity starts at the service line, leading the nation at 2.44 aces per set and 190 total aces<\/p>\n
\u2022 That pressure flows directly to the net, where Long Beach State leads the Big West and ranks among the nation’s best at 2.65 blocks per set<\/p>\n
\u2022 Offensively, the Beach average 12.27 kills per set with a balanced system built on tempo and efficiency, not reliance on a single scorer<\/p>\n
THE MATCHUP
\n\u2022 Long Beach State leads the all-time series 64-42 and has won the last 8 meetings<\/p>\n
\u2022 UCSB enters 13-9, built around rhythm, balance, and system execution<\/p>\n
\u2022 The Gauchos average 11.95 kills per set and hit .254 as a team<\/p>\n
\u2022 George Bruening (3.80 kills\/set) leads a multi-option offense, with Ethan Saint adding 2.75 kills\/set<\/p>\n
\u2022 UCSB prefers extended rallies and offensive flow, contrasting with Long Beach State’s pressure-driven approach<\/p>\n
\u2022 The match will hinge on first contact: serve and pass will determine tempo and control<\/p>\n
IN THE RANKINGS
\n\u2022 Long Beach State ranks No. 1 nationally in aces and No. 1 in the Big West in blocks<\/p>\n
\u2022 Nationally, the Beach combine elite serving, top-tier blocking, and high-level offensive efficiency<\/p>\n
\u2022 The serve creates disruption, and the block converts it into points, forming one of the most effective sequences in the country<\/p>\n
\u2022 Skyler Varga<\/a> ranks No. 1 in the Big West and No. 2 nationally in aces at 0.53 per set, while also ranking No. 4 in the Big West in points (4.09\/set), No. 6 in kills (3.16\/set), and No. 6 in hitting percentage (.342)<\/p>\n \u2022 Jake Pazanti<\/a> ranks No. 3 in the Big West in assists at 9.72 per set and sits among the top 15 nationally in the category<\/p>\n \u2022 Jackson Cryst<\/a> ranks No. 1 in the Big West and No. 3 nationally in hitting percentage (.529), while also ranking No. 3 in the Big West and top 25 nationally in blocks at 1.06 per set<\/p>\n \u2022 Kellen Larson<\/a> ranks No. 6 in the Big West in digs at 1.54 per set, anchoring the Beach defensively and in serve receive \u2022 The Beach hold a 190-62 advantage in total aces over opponents, consistently forcing teams out of system<\/p>\n \u2022 Once out of system, the block takes over, closing space and simplifying defense<\/p>\n \u2022 When controlling first contact, the Beach separate quickly and sustain scoring runs<\/p>\n \u2022 Opponents struggle to establish rhythm, limiting long rallies and second-chance opportunities<\/p>\n \u2022 Against UCSB, preventing offensive rhythm is critical to controlling the match<\/p>\n INDIVIDUAL IMPACT Jake Pazanti<\/a>, R-Fr., S Jackson Cryst<\/a>, Fr., MB Wojciech Gajek<\/a>, Fr., OPP
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\nTEAM IDENTITY
\n\u2022 Long Beach State’s identity is built on pressure from the first contact<\/p>\n
\nSkyler Varga<\/a>, Sr., OH
\n\u2022 3.16 kills\/set, 0.53 aces\/set, 1.36 digs\/set, 4.09 points\/set, .342 hitting
\n\u2022 Named one of 8 AVCA National Player of the Year semifinalists
\n\u2022 Surpassed the elite 1000 points \/ 750 kills \/ 300 digs \/ 200 blocks career milestone
\n\u2022 Impacts every phase and serves as the centerpiece across all six rotations<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 9.72 assists\/set
\n\u2022 Controls tempo and distribution, keeping the offense balanced and unpredictable<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 .529 hitting, 1.06 blocks\/set
\n\u2022 Back-to-back Big West Player of the Week nods: Freshman of the Week last week, Defensive Player of the Week this week.
\n\u2022 Elite efficiency and a major presence at the net
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\nAlex Kandev<\/a>, So., OH
\n\u2022 2.52 kills\/set, 0.60 aces\/set
\n\u2022 Key contributor to both scoring and service pressure<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 2.63 kills\/set on .324 hitting
\n\u2022 Emerging as a high-impact offensive option, especially in key stretches<\/p>\n