Long Beach State University Athletics
Volleyball Magazine Honors Lotman, Knipe
6/11/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Volleyball
June 11, 2008
IRVINE--Long Beach State's Paul Lotman was named the National co-Player of the Year by Volleyball Magazine, while Alan Knipe was named the publication's National Coach of the Year following their run towards a National Championship in 2008.
Lotman, who led the nation in aces per game and ranked in the national top-three in kills and points per game, shared the honor with Penn State's Matt Anderson for the second time, as the duo was also named the AVCA National Players of the Year. Lotman was also a first team All-American in the magazine and the MPSF's Player of the Year.
For Knipe, the 49ers produced a 12-game turnaround from a year ago, finishing 23-7 and in the National Semifinals in Irvine. It was the 49ers seventh appearance in NCAA's Final Four and first since 2004.
They also improved 10-fold in the nation's toughest conference, the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, going from a 6-16 record in 2007 to a 18-4 record and conference championship in 2008. The 49ers, for those keeping score, were picked to finish seventh in the pre-season coaches poll.
The 49ers also featured four underclassmen in the starting lineup, including freshman setter Mike Klipsch and outside hitter Josh Riley and sophomore opposite Dean Bitttner, a second team All-America selection by the magazine.
Dan Alexander joined Lotman on the first team for Volleyball Magazine.
