Long Beach State Boasts Four AVCA All-Americans

Complete AVCA Release

LONG BEACH, Calif. – The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced its 30th annual NVA/AVCA Division I-II Men's All-America Teams on Tuesday, and Long Beach State boasted four selections. Freshman Mason Briggs led the way with a Second Team selection, while juniors Simon Andersen and Carlos Rivera, along with sophomore Shane Holdaway collected Honorable Mention status.

Briggs, a freshman libero from Valencia, Calif., continues to rack up the postseason honors as he was named Big West Co-Freshman of the Year and to the Off the Block Freshman All-American Team, before garnering AVCA All-American Second Team accolades.

After playing in 41 sets for the Beach, Briggs collected a total of 92 digs to average 2.24 digs per set to rank second in the Big West and 13th in the nation. His digs per set average was tops among league freshman. Briggs' best showing came in a five-set victory over then-No. 12 UCLA when he logged a career-high 15 digs to lead Long Beach State.

LBSU's primary passer committed just seven reception errors on the year and helped the Beach to a .325 attack percentage, while limiting opponents to a .218 hitting percentage.

Andersen earned AVCA All-American Honorable Mention honors for the second time in his career. The junior opposite from Middlefart, Denmark, previously earned the accolades as a freshman in 2018. Two weeks ago, the 6-foot-8 Andersen took home First Team All-Big West Conference honors after hitting .307 on the year while averaging 2.45 kills per set, which is good for third on the squad. He also added 0.98 digs per set and 0.69 blocks per set, while tallying five aces in 11 matches. Andersen recorded seven double-figure kill performances this season, leading the team in kills twice, and boasting a career-high 13 kills on three occasions.

Rivera, the Beach's setter, collected AVCA All-American Honorable Mention after being selected to the Big West Conference First Team. The 6-foot-3 Toa Alta, Puerto Rico native piloted the Beach to a .325 attack percentage in 2020 as LBSU hit over .300 in 7-of-11 matches this season. Rivera distributed 428 assists this season to average 9.95, which ranks him 12th in the nation. He also contributed 1.95 digs per set to rank 27th in the country, as well as 0.47 kills per set, and 0.47 blocks per set. Rivera led Long Beach State with three double-doubles, while leading the squad in digs four times. He logged a career-high 55 assists against McKendree, and boasted a career-best 12 digs versus Concordia Irvine.

Holdaway, a 6-foot-8 middle blocker, earned AVCA All-American Honorable Mention honors for the first time in his career as the sophomore led Long Beach State with an impressive .496 attack percentage as he knocked down 79 kills on 129 swings, while committing just 15 errors. His hitting percentage ranked him fifth in the country and third in the Big West. The Huntington Beach, Calif., native also led the Beach with 37 total blocks (8 block solos, 29 block assists) to average 1.00 blocks per set to rank in the top 20 in the nation. Additionally, Holdaway contributed 2.14 kills per set, recording four double-figure kill performances including a career-high 11 kills against then-No. 8 UCLA. Holdaway led the Beach in blocks five times and boasted a career-best seven blocks at then-No. 12 UCLA to lead LBSU to a five-set victory.

Calendar

Players Mentioned

Simon Andersen

Mason Briggs

Shane Holdaway

Carlos Rivera

Long Beach State University Athletics