Long Beach State University Athletics
49ers Sweep MPSF Post-Season Awards
4/18/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Volleyball
April 18, 2008
LONG BEACH, Calif. - The second-ranked Long Beach State men's volleyball team was rewarded for its outstanding season by sweeping all three major awards as the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) announced its all-conference teams. Eighth-year head coach Alan Knipe was named the MPSF Coach of the Year, senior Paul Lotman was the MPSF Player of the Year and freshman setter Mike Klipsch was the MPSF Freshman of the Year.
The 49ers had five players earn all-confernence honors in 2008, the most since 2005, and the second-most in school history. The 2000 squad had six members earn all-conference accolades.
Long Beach tied for first in the final MPSF standings at 18-4 with BYU, but the 49ers will host the MPSF Tournament next weekend by virtue of sweeping the season series against the Cougars. The 49ers are 23-5 on the season.
"I think it's nice that the guys got recognition for their body of work this year," said Knipe. "These guys are incredibly unselfish. The team being successful is more important than individual awards to them, but that always goes hand-in-hand. When you have a great year you win individual awards. I'm very proud of Mike and Paul, and the five players who earned all-conference recognition."
Lotman is the second 49ers to earn conference Player of the Year honors as Brent Hilliard was the WIVA Player of the Year in 1992. Klipsh is the third freshman to win the conference freshman honor as Tyler Hildebrand was the MPSF Freshman of the Year in 2003 and Scott Touzinsky won the award in 2001. The Coach of the Year award is the first for Knipe. He was the 2004 AVCA National Coach of the Year, but was not the conference's selection. Former Head Coach Ray Ratelle was the WIVA Coach of the Year in 1990 and 1991.
Lotman and sophomore middle blocker Dan Alexander were both first team all-conference selections. Sophomore Dean Bittner was named to the second team, Klipsch was named third team all-league and junior libero Dustin Watten was named honorable mention.
The 49ers open up play in the MPSF Tournament on Thursday, April 24 as they host the winner of Saturday's match between UCLA and Pepperdine. The 49ers will play at 5:30 pm in the Walter Pyramid. The second semifinal will begin at 8 pm. The MPSF Championship match will be held on Saturday, April 26 at 7 pm.
FIRST TEAM ALL-MPSF
Dan Alexander, MB, Long Beach State, So.
Paul Carroll, OPP, Pepperdine, Jr.
Russell Holmes, MB, BYU, Sr.
Paul Lotman, OH, Long Beach State, Sr.
Ivan Perez, OH, BYU, Sr.,
Eric Vance, OH, CS Northridge, Jr.
Jonathan Winder, S, Pepperdine, Sr.
SECOND TEAM ALL-MPSF
Dean Bittner, OPP, Long Beach State, So.
Travis Bleumling, S, CS Northridge, Sr.
Theo Brunner, MB, UCSB, Sr.
Isaac Kneubuhl, OH, CS Northridge, Sr.
Cody Loe, MB, CS Northridge, Fr.
Garrett Muagututia, OH, UCLA, So.
Kawika Shoji, S, Stanford, So.
THIRD TEAM ALL-MPSF
Ric Cervantes, L, Hawai'i, Jr.
Juan Figueroa, OH, USC, Sr.
Aaron Harrell, MB, UC Irvine, Sr.
Tony Ker, L, UCLA, Sr.
Mike Klipsch, S, Long Beach State, Fr.
Jon Stellar, OPP, UC Irvine, Jr.
Murphy Troy, OH, USC, Fr.
HONORABLE MENTION ALL-MPSF
Brent Asuka, L, UC Irvine, Jr.
Jamie Diefenbach, QH, UCLA, Jr.
Jimmy Killian, S, USC, Sr.
Eric Leserman, L, UCSD, Jr.
Kevin McKnipp, MB, CS Northridge, So.
Jeff Menzel, OPP, UCSB, Fr.
Sean O'Malley, OH, UCLA, Jr.
Pekka Seppanen, OH, Pacific, Sr.,
Trent Sorensen MB, BYU, Sr.
Jason Spangles, OH, UCSD, So.
D.J. Stromath, QH, UCLA, Jr.
Dustin Watten, L, Long Beach State, Jr.
