Friday, January 17
Long Beach, Calif.
7 p.m.
Long Beach State University
vs
USC
Photo by: Mason Boroff
No. 5 Long Beach State Hosts USC in Home Opener at the Walter Pyramid
1/16/2020 5:34:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
The Beach and the Trojans face off on Friday at 7 p.m.
Match #4
No. 5 Long Beach State vs. USC
Date: Friday, Jan. 17
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Arena: Walter Pyramid
Location: Long Beach, Calif.
Live Stats: BeachLiveStats.com
Listen: 22WestMedia.com
Watch: Beach Vision
Twitter: @LBSUMVB
Complete LBSU Notes (PDF)
No. 5 Long Beach State Hosts USC in Home Opener at the Walter Pyramid
The No. 5 Long Beach State men's volleyball team brings a 3-0 record into the home opener at the Walter Pyramid as the Beach host USC on Friday, Jan. 17 at 7:00 p.m.
Staying Social
Follow Long Beach State Men's Volleyball on Instagram and Twitter at @LBSUMVB. Be sure to "like" us on Facebook (Long Beach State Men's Volleyball).
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Long Beach State by following @LBSUAthletics. Be sure to "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram at @LBSU.
And don't forget our hashtags #GoBeach #LBNation.
In the Rankings
Long Beach State comes into the week ranked fifth in the AVCA Division I-II Coaches Poll after having opened the 2020 season with a 3-0 record last week at the UCSB Asics Invitational.
USC dropped out of the rankings this week after going 1-2 last week. The Trojans were previously ranked No. 12 in the preseason poll.
Fifty Years of Long Beach State Men's Volleyball
The 2020 season marks the 50th season of Long Beach State Men's Volleyball as the inaugural season kicked off in 1970. In 50 years, Long Beach State has won 873 matches and boasts a winning percentage of .647. The Beach have won three NCAA National Titles (1991, 2018, 2019), made 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, have garnered six National Players of the Year, and have seen two coaches named National Coach of the Year six separate years. The storied LBSU men's volleyball program has produced 24 AVCA First Team All-Americans, more than 50 professional indoor and beach players, and 10 U.S. Olympians.
About the Beach
• After losing five starters from the 2019 squad to graduation, the 2020 Long Beach State Men's Volleyball Team will has a fresh new look.
• The Beach return juniors Simon Andersen (middle blocker), Ethan Siegfried (outside hitter) and Carlos Rivera (setter). Andersen and Siegfried each started at their respective positions a year ago, and Rivera saw a substantial amount of playing time off the bench.
• LBSU also welcomes back junior outside hitter Ryan Poole along with sophomores Alexander Anastassiades (opposite), Shane Holdaway (middle blocker), Marc Moody (middle blocker), and Spencer Olivier (outside hitter) who all look to make an immediate impact for the Beach in 2020.
• Joining the core group of players on the court this season are freshmen Mason Briggs (libero) and Nate Harlan (outside hitter/opposite), as well as junior college transfers sophomore Grant Marocchi (middle blocker) and junior Matt Johnson (libero).
• A year after redshirting in 2019, outside hitters Dawson Fugate and Mitchell Bollinger also look get some time on the court.
• Leading the Beach in his 17th season at the helm is three-time AVCA National Coach of the Year, Alan Knipe, who owns a 337-147 overall record for a winning percentage of .693. Knipe's winning percentage is tops among all seven Long Beach State head coaches.
• Long Beach State is 3-0 on the year after having opened the 2020 season with three straight victories at the UCSB Asics Invitational last week.
• The Beach won in straight sets against Benedictine Mesa, then defeated McKendree in four, before closing out the tournament with a five-set win over Concordia.
• For their efforts, junior middle blocker Simon Andersen and freshman libero Mason Briggs were named to the All-Tournament Team.
• Leading the Beach offensive after opening weekend, is Olivier who is averaging 3.08 kills per set.
• Olivier leads group of players who average at least 3.00 kills per set in Ethan Siegfried and Marc Moody.
• Rivera piloted the Beach to a solid outing last week as he dished out 11.42 assists per set as LBSU hit .315. Rivera also led the squad with 2.67 digs per set.
• Briggs made his collegiate debut for the Beach and paced the back row with 2.50 digs per set as he racked up a pair of double-figure dig performances.
• At the net, LBSU is led by Andersen's nine blocks as he averages 0.75 per set.
• Long Beach State has officially changed the nickname for all sports other than baseball to Beach with the NCAA. Please do not refer to LBSU volleyball as the 49ers.
Scouting USC
USC opened the 2020 season with a 3-2 victory over Princeton at home, before heading east for the George Mason Tournament where they dropped a pair of 3-0 contests to host, George Mason, and NJIT.
As a team, the Trojans are hitting .201 on the year and are led by Brandon Browning (2.73 kps) and Billy Fauntleroy (2.70 kps).
Chris Hall is the team's setter as he averages 8.64 assists per set to go along with 1.55 digs per set and 0.55 blocks per set.
Hall's 1.55 digs per set are tied for the team lead with libero Cole Paxon as both have recorded 17 digs thus far.
The Series: The Beach vs. Trojans
Long Beach State and USC will meet for the 111th time in program history. In the all-time series, the Trojans hold the edge 59-51. Last season, the two teams split the series with the Beach defeating USC in four sets in Long Beach, and the Trojans earning a straight-set win over the Beach in Los Angeles, Calif. Prior to the loss to the Trojans, Long Beach State had won the previous four contests. The loss to USC on March 23, snapped a 23-match winning streak and handed LBSU its first of just two losses during the 2019 season.
Home Sweet Home
Since 2016, Long Beach State has put together a 54-3 record inside the Walter Pyramid. That record is good for a winning percentage of .947. The Beach have not lost a home match since March 26, 2016 when they dropped a 3-0 decision to then-No. 2 UCLA. Since then, LBSU owns a program-record 43-0 record when playing at home.
All-Tourney All The Team
After a pair of stellar performances at the UCSB Asics Invitational, junior middle blocker Simon Andersen and freshman libero Mason Briggs were named to the All-Tournament Team. Andersen received the honors after leading the Beach on both sides of the ball. The Middlefart, Denmark native hit a sizzling .667 on the week as he knocked down 31 kills on 45 swings, while committing just one error. Additionally, Andersen led the team at the net with nine total blocks to average 0.75 per set. Meanwhile, Briggs anchored the defense with a total of 30 digs to average 2.50 per set. He tallied a pair of double-dig efforts with 10 in his collegiate debut and 12 in a five-set win over Concordia.
CanAm Holiday Showcase
Long Beach State participated in the CanAm Holiday Showcase two weeks ago and went up against some of the top teams in Canada.
The Beach went 1-2 in Toronto, Canada as they dropped a five-set thriller to Trinity Western to open the tournament, before suffering a sweep to Alberta on Dec. 30.
Long Beach State bounced back and secured a 3-2 victory over McMaster on the final day of the tournament behind a solid showing by junior setter Carlos Rivera as he was named Player of the Game.
The CanAm Tournament was beneficial for the Beach as the young team had the opportunity to play together in competitive action in three exhibition contests.
Summer Nights
Over the summer, junior outside hitter Ethan Siegfried made the U.S. Men's Collegiate National Team and participated in the World University Games.
Additionally, freshman libero Mason Briggs joined associate head coach Nick MacRae, who served in the same capacity, at the FIVB U10 World Championships in Tunisia.
MacRae Named Boys Youth National Team Head Coach
USA Volleyball announced in November that Long Beach State associate head coach Nick MacRae will head the 2020 Boys Youth National Team. MacRae, who is in his seventh season at LBSU, began work with the squad at the 2019 Boys Holiday Training Program in San Diego at the end of December. The Boys Youth National Team will compete at the 2020 NORCECA U19 Championship as they look to qualify for the 2020 FIVB U19 World Championship.
Team of the Decade
Before the decade came to a close, the 2019 Long Beach State Men's Volleyball program was named National Team of the Decade by Off the Block. Additionally, former LBSU outside hitter, TJ DeFalco, a four-time AVCA All-American and two-time National Player of the Year, was named National Player of the Decade.
2020 Promotional Schedule
• Friday, January 17 vs. USC - Clear Bag giveaway to the first 1,000 fans in attendance
• Saturday, January 25 vs. Pepperdine - 2019 NCAA Championship Banner Reveal; Replica Banner Giveaway to the first 1,000 fans in attendance.
• Saturday, February 1 vs. UCLA - LBSU MVB Team Poster Giveaway; postgame autograph session
• Friday, February 21 vs. Westcliff - Walter Pyramid 25th Anniversary Celebration; Volleyball Keychain Giveaway with 25th Anniversary Logo
• Friday, March 6 vs. Lindenwood - Jurassic Pyramid Night
• Friday, Match 13 vs. UC Santa Barbara - Star Wars Night; LB Lightsaber Giveaway
• Saturday, April 11 vs. UC San Diego - Toy Story Night; LB Slinky Giveaway
• Saturday, April 18 vs. CSUN - Senior Night
Up Next
Long Beach State will host No.8 Pepperdine on Saturday, January 25 at 7 p.m. inside the Walter Pyramid. Prior to the match, the Beach will unveil the 2019 NCAA National Championship banner.
No. 5 Long Beach State vs. USC
Date: Friday, Jan. 17
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Arena: Walter Pyramid
Location: Long Beach, Calif.
Live Stats: BeachLiveStats.com
Listen: 22WestMedia.com
Watch: Beach Vision
Twitter: @LBSUMVB
Complete LBSU Notes (PDF)
No. 5 Long Beach State Hosts USC in Home Opener at the Walter Pyramid
The No. 5 Long Beach State men's volleyball team brings a 3-0 record into the home opener at the Walter Pyramid as the Beach host USC on Friday, Jan. 17 at 7:00 p.m.
Staying Social
Follow Long Beach State Men's Volleyball on Instagram and Twitter at @LBSUMVB. Be sure to "like" us on Facebook (Long Beach State Men's Volleyball).
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Long Beach State by following @LBSUAthletics. Be sure to "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram at @LBSU.
And don't forget our hashtags #GoBeach #LBNation.
In the Rankings
Long Beach State comes into the week ranked fifth in the AVCA Division I-II Coaches Poll after having opened the 2020 season with a 3-0 record last week at the UCSB Asics Invitational.
USC dropped out of the rankings this week after going 1-2 last week. The Trojans were previously ranked No. 12 in the preseason poll.
Fifty Years of Long Beach State Men's Volleyball
The 2020 season marks the 50th season of Long Beach State Men's Volleyball as the inaugural season kicked off in 1970. In 50 years, Long Beach State has won 873 matches and boasts a winning percentage of .647. The Beach have won three NCAA National Titles (1991, 2018, 2019), made 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, have garnered six National Players of the Year, and have seen two coaches named National Coach of the Year six separate years. The storied LBSU men's volleyball program has produced 24 AVCA First Team All-Americans, more than 50 professional indoor and beach players, and 10 U.S. Olympians.
About the Beach
• After losing five starters from the 2019 squad to graduation, the 2020 Long Beach State Men's Volleyball Team will has a fresh new look.
• The Beach return juniors Simon Andersen (middle blocker), Ethan Siegfried (outside hitter) and Carlos Rivera (setter). Andersen and Siegfried each started at their respective positions a year ago, and Rivera saw a substantial amount of playing time off the bench.
• LBSU also welcomes back junior outside hitter Ryan Poole along with sophomores Alexander Anastassiades (opposite), Shane Holdaway (middle blocker), Marc Moody (middle blocker), and Spencer Olivier (outside hitter) who all look to make an immediate impact for the Beach in 2020.
• Joining the core group of players on the court this season are freshmen Mason Briggs (libero) and Nate Harlan (outside hitter/opposite), as well as junior college transfers sophomore Grant Marocchi (middle blocker) and junior Matt Johnson (libero).
• A year after redshirting in 2019, outside hitters Dawson Fugate and Mitchell Bollinger also look get some time on the court.
• Leading the Beach in his 17th season at the helm is three-time AVCA National Coach of the Year, Alan Knipe, who owns a 337-147 overall record for a winning percentage of .693. Knipe's winning percentage is tops among all seven Long Beach State head coaches.
• Long Beach State is 3-0 on the year after having opened the 2020 season with three straight victories at the UCSB Asics Invitational last week.
• The Beach won in straight sets against Benedictine Mesa, then defeated McKendree in four, before closing out the tournament with a five-set win over Concordia.
• For their efforts, junior middle blocker Simon Andersen and freshman libero Mason Briggs were named to the All-Tournament Team.
• Leading the Beach offensive after opening weekend, is Olivier who is averaging 3.08 kills per set.
• Olivier leads group of players who average at least 3.00 kills per set in Ethan Siegfried and Marc Moody.
• Rivera piloted the Beach to a solid outing last week as he dished out 11.42 assists per set as LBSU hit .315. Rivera also led the squad with 2.67 digs per set.
• Briggs made his collegiate debut for the Beach and paced the back row with 2.50 digs per set as he racked up a pair of double-figure dig performances.
• At the net, LBSU is led by Andersen's nine blocks as he averages 0.75 per set.
• Long Beach State has officially changed the nickname for all sports other than baseball to Beach with the NCAA. Please do not refer to LBSU volleyball as the 49ers.
Scouting USC
USC opened the 2020 season with a 3-2 victory over Princeton at home, before heading east for the George Mason Tournament where they dropped a pair of 3-0 contests to host, George Mason, and NJIT.
As a team, the Trojans are hitting .201 on the year and are led by Brandon Browning (2.73 kps) and Billy Fauntleroy (2.70 kps).
Chris Hall is the team's setter as he averages 8.64 assists per set to go along with 1.55 digs per set and 0.55 blocks per set.
Hall's 1.55 digs per set are tied for the team lead with libero Cole Paxon as both have recorded 17 digs thus far.
The Series: The Beach vs. Trojans
Long Beach State and USC will meet for the 111th time in program history. In the all-time series, the Trojans hold the edge 59-51. Last season, the two teams split the series with the Beach defeating USC in four sets in Long Beach, and the Trojans earning a straight-set win over the Beach in Los Angeles, Calif. Prior to the loss to the Trojans, Long Beach State had won the previous four contests. The loss to USC on March 23, snapped a 23-match winning streak and handed LBSU its first of just two losses during the 2019 season.
Home Sweet Home
Since 2016, Long Beach State has put together a 54-3 record inside the Walter Pyramid. That record is good for a winning percentage of .947. The Beach have not lost a home match since March 26, 2016 when they dropped a 3-0 decision to then-No. 2 UCLA. Since then, LBSU owns a program-record 43-0 record when playing at home.
All-Tourney All The Team
After a pair of stellar performances at the UCSB Asics Invitational, junior middle blocker Simon Andersen and freshman libero Mason Briggs were named to the All-Tournament Team. Andersen received the honors after leading the Beach on both sides of the ball. The Middlefart, Denmark native hit a sizzling .667 on the week as he knocked down 31 kills on 45 swings, while committing just one error. Additionally, Andersen led the team at the net with nine total blocks to average 0.75 per set. Meanwhile, Briggs anchored the defense with a total of 30 digs to average 2.50 per set. He tallied a pair of double-dig efforts with 10 in his collegiate debut and 12 in a five-set win over Concordia.
CanAm Holiday Showcase
Long Beach State participated in the CanAm Holiday Showcase two weeks ago and went up against some of the top teams in Canada.
The Beach went 1-2 in Toronto, Canada as they dropped a five-set thriller to Trinity Western to open the tournament, before suffering a sweep to Alberta on Dec. 30.
Long Beach State bounced back and secured a 3-2 victory over McMaster on the final day of the tournament behind a solid showing by junior setter Carlos Rivera as he was named Player of the Game.
The CanAm Tournament was beneficial for the Beach as the young team had the opportunity to play together in competitive action in three exhibition contests.
Summer Nights
Over the summer, junior outside hitter Ethan Siegfried made the U.S. Men's Collegiate National Team and participated in the World University Games.
Additionally, freshman libero Mason Briggs joined associate head coach Nick MacRae, who served in the same capacity, at the FIVB U10 World Championships in Tunisia.
MacRae Named Boys Youth National Team Head Coach
USA Volleyball announced in November that Long Beach State associate head coach Nick MacRae will head the 2020 Boys Youth National Team. MacRae, who is in his seventh season at LBSU, began work with the squad at the 2019 Boys Holiday Training Program in San Diego at the end of December. The Boys Youth National Team will compete at the 2020 NORCECA U19 Championship as they look to qualify for the 2020 FIVB U19 World Championship.
Team of the Decade
Before the decade came to a close, the 2019 Long Beach State Men's Volleyball program was named National Team of the Decade by Off the Block. Additionally, former LBSU outside hitter, TJ DeFalco, a four-time AVCA All-American and two-time National Player of the Year, was named National Player of the Decade.
2020 Promotional Schedule
• Friday, January 17 vs. USC - Clear Bag giveaway to the first 1,000 fans in attendance
• Saturday, January 25 vs. Pepperdine - 2019 NCAA Championship Banner Reveal; Replica Banner Giveaway to the first 1,000 fans in attendance.
• Saturday, February 1 vs. UCLA - LBSU MVB Team Poster Giveaway; postgame autograph session
• Friday, February 21 vs. Westcliff - Walter Pyramid 25th Anniversary Celebration; Volleyball Keychain Giveaway with 25th Anniversary Logo
• Friday, March 6 vs. Lindenwood - Jurassic Pyramid Night
• Friday, Match 13 vs. UC Santa Barbara - Star Wars Night; LB Lightsaber Giveaway
• Saturday, April 11 vs. UC San Diego - Toy Story Night; LB Slinky Giveaway
• Saturday, April 18 vs. CSUN - Senior Night
Up Next
Long Beach State will host No.8 Pepperdine on Saturday, January 25 at 7 p.m. inside the Walter Pyramid. Prior to the match, the Beach will unveil the 2019 NCAA National Championship banner.
Players Mentioned
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