LONG BEACH, Calif. — Long Beach State enters the NCAA Tournament as the No. 2 overall seed and one of the most complete teams in the country, hosting the Long Beach Regional at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid following a Big West Championship run capped by a five-set win over Hawai’i.<\/p>\n
The Beach now shift from conference dominance to national contention, opening against the winner of #10 Loyola Chicago and Saint Francis.<\/p>\n
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
\nFriday, May 1
\nGame 1: #10 Loyola Chicago vs Saint Francis \u2013 7:00 p.m.<\/p>\n
Saturday, May 2
\nGame 2: #2 Long Beach State vs Game 1 Winner \u2013 6:00 p.m.<\/p>\n
RIGHT AWAY
\nAt 24-4 overall and ranked No. 2 nationally, Long Beach State enters the postseason with one of the most complete statistical profiles in the country, built on elite efficiency and overwhelming first-contact pressure.<\/p>\n
The Beach are hitting .347 while holding opponents to .217, maintaining a +.130 differential that consistently allows them to dictate tempo and control matches on both sides of the ball.<\/p>\n
That control begins at the service line. Long Beach State has produced 225 aces at 2.23 per set while allowing just 84, creating a massive separation in first-contact pressure that routinely forces opponents out of system.<\/p>\n
That disruption carries directly to the net, where the Beach average 2.73 blocks per set and hold a dominant total block advantage over opponents, turning broken plays into high-efficiency transition offense.<\/p>\n
Offensively, Long Beach State generates 12.41 kills per set on .347 hitting, driven by distribution, efficiency, and system balance rather than reliance on a single scorer.<\/p>\n
That balance has translated to production across every phase of the game, reflected in Big West weekly honors throughout the season and reinforced by postseason recognition across the roster.<\/p>\n
POSTSEASON MOMENTUM
\nThe Beach enter the NCAA Tournament playing their best volleyball of the season, coming off a five-set win over Hawai’i in the Big West Championship.<\/p>\n
That performance reinforced their identity. Long Beach State can win extended matches, manage high-pressure moments, and maintain efficiency even when pushed deep into sets.<\/p>\n
SCOUTING THE FIELD
\n#10 Loyola Chicago
\nLoyola enters at 20-8 overall and 12-4 in MIVA conference play, bringing a disciplined and efficient offensive system.<\/p>\n
The Ramblers hit .327 as a team while averaging 12.8 kills per set, relying on structure and ball control rather than overwhelming physicality.<\/p>\n
They are capable of extending matches and have five-set wins this season, making them a dangerous first-round opponent.<\/p>\n
Saint Francis
\nSaint Francis enters at 18-11 and on a six-match winning streak after capturing the NEC Championship.<\/p>\n
They average 11.2 kills per set on .233 hitting but generate pressure through aggressive serving at 1.7 aces per set and high defensive effort.<\/p>\n
Momentum and serving will be their primary tools in trying to disrupt higher-seeded opponents.<\/p>\n
MATCHUP OUTLOOK
\nThe regional semifinal will be defined by first contact.<\/p>\n
Both potential opponents operate most effectively in-system. Loyola relies on efficiency and structure, while Saint Francis depends on rhythm and serving runs.<\/p>\n
Long Beach State is built to disrupt both.<\/p>\n
The Beach’s serve-and-block pipeline consistently forces opponents into out-of-system play, where their +.130 hitting percentage differential becomes decisive. When that disruption is established early, Long Beach State controls tempo and limits opponent scoring windows.<\/p>\n
If Loyola advances, the matchup becomes a test of efficiency versus pressure. Loyola’s .327 hitting is strong, but it has not faced consistent serve pressure at the level Long Beach State generates.<\/p>\n
If Saint Francis advances, the match will hinge on serve-receive stability. Saint Francis can create runs, but Long Beach State’s ability to respond with both serving and blocking advantages creates a higher ceiling over the course of a match.<\/p>\n
IN THE NUMBERS
\nLong Beach State continues to rank among national leaders across key categories:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Among national leaders in aces, blocks, and hitting percentage
\n\u2022 No. 1 in the Big West in opponent hitting percentage (.217)
\n\u2022 +.130 hitting percentage differential (.347 vs .217)
\n\u2022 Elite serve-to-block production driving consistent transition scoring<\/p>\n
Individually:<\/p>\n
Skyler Varga<\/a> leads the offense at 3.15 kills per set and 4.04 points per set, serving as a six-rotation anchor.<\/p>\n Jake Pazanti<\/a> directs the offense at 9.09 assists per set, orchestrating one of the most efficient systems in the country.<\/p>\n Jackson Cryst<\/a> and Ben Braun<\/a> form one of the top middle duos nationally, both hitting above .520 while averaging over one block per set.<\/p>\n Kellen Larson<\/a> stabilizes the backcourt with 1.80 digs per set and elite reception consistency.<\/p>\n Alex Kandev<\/a> adds another layer of pressure, ranking among national leaders at 0.56 aces per set.<\/p>\n BIG WEST RECOGNITION Long Beach State placed three on the All-Big West First Team with Jackson Cryst<\/a>, Kellen Larson<\/a> and Skyler Varga<\/a>, signaling a roster built on impact across every phase.<\/p>\n The future is already contributing: Cryst, Wojciech Gajek<\/a> and Jake Pazanti<\/a> all earned All-Freshman honors, highlighting the Beach’s blend of immediate production and long-term depth.<\/p>\n WHAT’S AT STAKE
\nIn his first year at the helm, Head Coach Nick MacRae<\/a> was named Coach of the Year after winning the Big West Championship.<\/p>\n
\nThe winner of the Long Beach Regional advances to the Final Four on May 9, hosted by No. 1 UCLA at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles.
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