Clarke Godbold Named Big West Men’s Volleyball Freshman of the Year

4/27/2021 12:17:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

The true freshman concluded his rookie campaign averaging 2.51 kills per set, 1.56 digs per set, and 0.78 blocks per set

By: Lindy Zamora, Associate Athletic Communications Director

IRVINE, Calif. – After turning in an excellent rookie campaign, Clarke Godbold was named Big West Conference Men's Volleyball Freshman of the Year.

Godbold becomes the second Long Beach State player to garner such an honor, following Mason Briggs' 2020 Co-Big West Freshman of the Year award. Overall, Godbold is the Beach's sixth conference freshman of the year in program history.

The 6-foot-5 outside hitter came into the 2021 season as the No. 1 recruit in the country and lived up to his billing. Godbold finished his freshman season averaging 2.51 kills per set, 1.56 digs per set, and 0.78 blocks per set to rank in the top 10 in the Big West in each category. His kills per set average was good for second the team, as was his digs per set mark.

Godbold recorded seven double-digit kill performances including a pair of career-high 13-kill efforts. He registered a double-double with 13 kills and 10 digs against No. 3 UC Santa Barbara in Long Beach State's season-opening weekend, and went on to post a career-high six blocks on two occasions.

A 2021 All-Big West Freshman Team selection, Godbold tied the conference record for most consecutive Big West Freshman of the Week accolades with three in a row.