News Summary
Long Beach State clinched their fourth NCAA men’s volleyball title, defeating UCLA with set scores of 25-17, 25-23, and 25-21. This marks their first championship since 2019 and highlights their resilience after losing in the Big West Tournament final. Freshman Moni Nikolov shone with six kills, four aces, and 27 assists, earning tournament MVP. Long Beach’s strong performance statistics, particularly their hitting efficiency, were key in overcoming UCLA, who had been the reigning champions. This victory underscores the team’s promising future with talented young players.
Long Beach, CA – Long Beach State captured its fourth NCAA men’s volleyball championship by defeating UCLA with set scores of 25-17, 25-23, and 25-21. This victory marks a significant achievement for the Long Beach State program, as it is their first championship title since 2019 and adds to their previous wins in 1991 and 2018.
The win also ended UCLA’s dominance in the sport, as they were the reigning national champions for the past two years. Long Beach State’s impressive performance throughout the tournament underscores their resilience, particularly following a setback where they lost to Hawaii in the Big West Tournament final. They managed to bounce back in the NCAA tournament, winning nine out of ten sets to secure the championship.
Freshman Moni Nikolov, who is 6-foot-10 and newly turned 18, had a standout performance in the final match. Nikolov recorded six kills, four aces, two blocks, and 27 assists, solidifying his role as a crucial player for Long Beach State. He served the opening ace of the match and was later named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Long Beach State showcased superior performance metrics, particularly in hitting efficiency, achieving a .354 hitting percentage compared to UCLA’s .192. In the second set, UCLA initially built a lead with a score of 18-13 before Long Beach outscored them 12-5, leading to a crucial turn in the match.
Another key player for Long Beach was Alex Kandev, who contributed a team-high 13 kills and four blocks, finishing the match with a hitting percentage of .452. This victory was particularly significant as it demonstrated the team’s outstanding skill and tactical prowess over their opponents, having already defeated UCLA twice during the season with a commanding 9-1 set advantage.
Long Beach State concluded their season with an overall record of 30-3. They maintained a remarkable 20-match winning streak earlier in the season and were ranked No. 1 for the past 14 weeks leading up to the championship.
UCLA entered the tournament with aspirations of becoming the first team since their own amazing four-peat from 1981 to 1984 to win three consecutive national championships. Despite this setback, they had held the title for two years and were significant contenders throughout the season.
In addition to the championship match, the upcoming 2025 NCAA Tournament is set to take place at UCLA, promising to attract considerable interest from fans and teams alike.
This championship victory serves as a landmark moment for Long Beach State men’s volleyball, highlighting their success and the promising future ahead for their program following the performance of their young stars like Moni Nikolov and solid veterans like Alex Kandev.
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HERE Resources
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Fall to UCLA Bruins in Semifinals
Additional Resources
- UCLA Falls in NCAA Title Match to Long Beach State
- Los Angeles Times: Long Beach State Defeats UCLA
- OC Register: Long Beach State Sweeps UCLA
- Wikipedia: NCAA Men’s Volleyball Championship
- ESPN: Long Beach State Wins Men’s Volleyball Crown
Author: STAFF HERE HOLLYWOOD
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