Long Beach State University Athletics
LBSU Men’s Volleyball’s 2024 Recruiting Class Is Comprised Of Seven Of The Nation’s Top Players
11/11/2023 1:38:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
The Beach welcome two international sensations and five American talents for the 2025 season
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State Head Men's Volleyball Coach Alan Knipe announced the signing of seven of the nation's top recruits as part of his 2024 signing class. The talented class of Ford Harman, Alex Kandev, Kellen Larson, Victor Loiola, Moni Nikolov, Jake Pazanti, and Isaiah Preuitt will join the Beach for the 2025 season.
Three players, in Larson, Loiola, and Preuitt, have played for the USA Boys National Team as Larson anchored the USA defense as libero, while Loiola was a top point scorer at outside hitter, and Preuitt was a stalwart at the net as a middle. Meanwhile, Nikolov is a member of the Bulgarian Boys National Team.
"We are excited to unite these young men and their families with our Long Beach community, athletic department, and men's volleyball family," said Knipe. "This signing class will assist Long Beach State with maintaining sustainable success for years to come.
"They have set the highest standards in our craft; set on a path of winning national championships, competing at the highest international level, and becoming Olympians. They join our family bringing a wealth of experience in the USA and International volleyball pipelines, many of them having played in some major tournaments thus far.
"They have set major aspirations in the classroom and for post-volleyball careers; looking to enter in our colleges of business, engineering, real estate, and the medical field.
"Just as important, they are all incredible, holistic people; they will join us ready to improve their physical, mental, and spiritual self. They look to becoming amazing fathers, husbands, and leaders that will make a positive impact in our world.
"It is with these traits of high volleyball standards, high academic goals, and being a holistic young man, that we are excited to announce your recruiting class of 2024!"
Ford Harman
Fr. | 6-1 | 160 lbs. | Libero/Setter/Outside Hitter | Santa Barbara, Calif. | Santa Barbara HS
Harman comes to Long Beach State after a solid prep career at Santa Barbara High School. The 2023 Barbara May Award winner was named to the VolleyballMag Top 25 Underclassmen to Watch. He helped the Dons win the CBVA U18 Cal Cup State Championship in 2022 and 2023. Additionally, Harman helped the Dons capture the AAU High School Beach Championship in 2023. He partner with Long Beach Legend Taylor Crabb at the 2023 AVP Laguna Beach Open and placed fifth. Harman was named MVP of the 35th annual Dos Pueblos Invitational in 2022 after helping his high school team capture the 2022 CIF Championship and the D2 CIF Title. In addition, Harman also played with the Santa Barbara Volleyball Club and with the USAV U19 Beach National Team. He was named First Team All-American at AAU Junior Nationals in 2022 after placing fifth at AAU Jos.
Alex Kandev
Fr. | 6-7 | 203 lbs. | Outside Hitter | Sofia, Bulgaria | Vasil Levski
Kandev hails from Sofia Bulgaria where he played club volleyball for VC Levski Sofia. The talented Kandev was part of the Bulgarian National Team U19 and was the No. 1 point scorer at the U19 World Championships. He will bring championship experience to the Beach as Kandev is an eight-time national champion on the club circuit and has earned a European Bronze Medal with his U18 squad.
Kellen Larson
Fr. | 5-10 | 140 lbs. | Libero | Irvine, Calif. | Woodbridge HS
Larson comes to Long Beach State after prepping at Woodbridge High School for the last three years. He is a three-time All-League selection having been named First Team after his junior year and being named to the Second Team after his freshman and sophomore campaigns. Larson played club volleyball with Balboa Bay and Orange Coast Volleyball Clubs. The starting libero for the USA Boy's National Team, Larson was also named to the 2022 and 2023 Boys U19 National Team. In 2023, he led his team to the U19 FIVB World Championships where they placed fourth and he led the tournament in digs. He went on to be named USAV Junior Male Athlete of the Year, and twice earned U19 PanAm Cup Gold taking home Best Libero, Receiver, and Digger. At Junior Nationals 18 Open Silver, he was selected to the All-Tournament Team. He was named MVP of the 17 Open Gold squad, and was selected to the All-Tournament Team with the 16 Open Gold team.
Victor Loiola
Fr. | 6-4 | 170 lbs. | Outside Hitter | Manhattan Beach, Calif. | Mira Costa HS
Loiola has signed to play at Long Beach State after playing at Mira Costa High School. A versatile two-sport athlete who lettered in both volleyball and football, Loiola is coming off an incredible junior season in which he was named the Boys Volleyball Team MVP. He earned the General Excellence Award in 2022-23 and was also named the 2022-23 IBVL Pairs Champion. In 2020-21, he helped the Mustangs capture the CIF Regional Championship. Loiola also played for Manhattan Beach Surf and was part of the U19 PanAm Guatemala Roster in 2022 and 2023. In 2023, with the AAU Junior National Team, he was named to the All-Tournament Team. That year he also helped his team win the World Championships, and was named to the All-Tournament Best of the West. He was twice selected to the SoCal Cup Showcase All-Tournament Team in 2022 and 2023. In 2021, he led his CBVA Cal Cup 16U Team to the Championship. A two-time National Team Gold Medalist, Loiola and his team to a fourth-place finish at the 2023 World Championship.
Moni Nikolov
Fr. | 6-8 | 202 lbs. | Setter | Sofia, Bulgaria | Vasil Levski School
Nikolov will join the Beach all the way from Sofia, Bulgaria where he was a nine-time national champion in his age group. A member of the Bulgarian National Team, Nikolov also played with the U19 squad and helped the team win the European Championship Bronze Medal. One of the top setters in the world, volleyball is in his genes as his father, Vladimir played professionally overseas until 2016, and his brother Alex is currently playing professionally and on the Bulgarian National Team after playing at Long Beach State and becoming the first-ever men's volleyball player to be named AVCA National Player of the Year as a freshman in 2022.
Jake Pazanti
Fr. | 6-3 | 175 lbs. | Setter | Huntington Beach, Calif. | Huntington Beach HS
Pazanti is a local product out of Huntington Beach High School where he is coming off of a season in which he was named Team MVP. A two-time Sunset League First Team selection, Pazanti also gained experience playing with Pinnacle Athletic Club under current LBSU Men's Volleyball Assistant Coach McKay Smith. While playing with Pinnacle, Pazanti earned a Silver Medal at the 2023 AAU Nationals 17U Open en route to being named All-American. In 2022, when playing for the AAU National 16U squad, Pazanti garnered All-American accolades on his way to earning a Bronze Medal.
Isaiah Preuitt
Fr. | 6-7 | 200 lbs. | Middle Blocker | Happy Valley, Ore. | Central Catholic HS
Preuitt comes to Long Beach State after playing club for the Ajax Volleyball Academy, which is recognized as one of the top boys clubs in the region. Additionally, Preuitt played on the USA U19 National Team in Guatemala where he helped his squad win Gold. Most recently, he made the roster for Worlds in Argentina.
Three players, in Larson, Loiola, and Preuitt, have played for the USA Boys National Team as Larson anchored the USA defense as libero, while Loiola was a top point scorer at outside hitter, and Preuitt was a stalwart at the net as a middle. Meanwhile, Nikolov is a member of the Bulgarian Boys National Team.
"We are excited to unite these young men and their families with our Long Beach community, athletic department, and men's volleyball family," said Knipe. "This signing class will assist Long Beach State with maintaining sustainable success for years to come.
"They have set the highest standards in our craft; set on a path of winning national championships, competing at the highest international level, and becoming Olympians. They join our family bringing a wealth of experience in the USA and International volleyball pipelines, many of them having played in some major tournaments thus far.
"They have set major aspirations in the classroom and for post-volleyball careers; looking to enter in our colleges of business, engineering, real estate, and the medical field.
"Just as important, they are all incredible, holistic people; they will join us ready to improve their physical, mental, and spiritual self. They look to becoming amazing fathers, husbands, and leaders that will make a positive impact in our world.
"It is with these traits of high volleyball standards, high academic goals, and being a holistic young man, that we are excited to announce your recruiting class of 2024!"
Ford Harman
Fr. | 6-1 | 160 lbs. | Libero/Setter/Outside Hitter | Santa Barbara, Calif. | Santa Barbara HS
Harman comes to Long Beach State after a solid prep career at Santa Barbara High School. The 2023 Barbara May Award winner was named to the VolleyballMag Top 25 Underclassmen to Watch. He helped the Dons win the CBVA U18 Cal Cup State Championship in 2022 and 2023. Additionally, Harman helped the Dons capture the AAU High School Beach Championship in 2023. He partner with Long Beach Legend Taylor Crabb at the 2023 AVP Laguna Beach Open and placed fifth. Harman was named MVP of the 35th annual Dos Pueblos Invitational in 2022 after helping his high school team capture the 2022 CIF Championship and the D2 CIF Title. In addition, Harman also played with the Santa Barbara Volleyball Club and with the USAV U19 Beach National Team. He was named First Team All-American at AAU Junior Nationals in 2022 after placing fifth at AAU Jos.
Alex Kandev
Fr. | 6-7 | 203 lbs. | Outside Hitter | Sofia, Bulgaria | Vasil Levski
Kandev hails from Sofia Bulgaria where he played club volleyball for VC Levski Sofia. The talented Kandev was part of the Bulgarian National Team U19 and was the No. 1 point scorer at the U19 World Championships. He will bring championship experience to the Beach as Kandev is an eight-time national champion on the club circuit and has earned a European Bronze Medal with his U18 squad.
Kellen Larson
Fr. | 5-10 | 140 lbs. | Libero | Irvine, Calif. | Woodbridge HS
Larson comes to Long Beach State after prepping at Woodbridge High School for the last three years. He is a three-time All-League selection having been named First Team after his junior year and being named to the Second Team after his freshman and sophomore campaigns. Larson played club volleyball with Balboa Bay and Orange Coast Volleyball Clubs. The starting libero for the USA Boy's National Team, Larson was also named to the 2022 and 2023 Boys U19 National Team. In 2023, he led his team to the U19 FIVB World Championships where they placed fourth and he led the tournament in digs. He went on to be named USAV Junior Male Athlete of the Year, and twice earned U19 PanAm Cup Gold taking home Best Libero, Receiver, and Digger. At Junior Nationals 18 Open Silver, he was selected to the All-Tournament Team. He was named MVP of the 17 Open Gold squad, and was selected to the All-Tournament Team with the 16 Open Gold team.
Victor Loiola
Fr. | 6-4 | 170 lbs. | Outside Hitter | Manhattan Beach, Calif. | Mira Costa HS
Loiola has signed to play at Long Beach State after playing at Mira Costa High School. A versatile two-sport athlete who lettered in both volleyball and football, Loiola is coming off an incredible junior season in which he was named the Boys Volleyball Team MVP. He earned the General Excellence Award in 2022-23 and was also named the 2022-23 IBVL Pairs Champion. In 2020-21, he helped the Mustangs capture the CIF Regional Championship. Loiola also played for Manhattan Beach Surf and was part of the U19 PanAm Guatemala Roster in 2022 and 2023. In 2023, with the AAU Junior National Team, he was named to the All-Tournament Team. That year he also helped his team win the World Championships, and was named to the All-Tournament Best of the West. He was twice selected to the SoCal Cup Showcase All-Tournament Team in 2022 and 2023. In 2021, he led his CBVA Cal Cup 16U Team to the Championship. A two-time National Team Gold Medalist, Loiola and his team to a fourth-place finish at the 2023 World Championship.
Moni Nikolov
Fr. | 6-8 | 202 lbs. | Setter | Sofia, Bulgaria | Vasil Levski School
Nikolov will join the Beach all the way from Sofia, Bulgaria where he was a nine-time national champion in his age group. A member of the Bulgarian National Team, Nikolov also played with the U19 squad and helped the team win the European Championship Bronze Medal. One of the top setters in the world, volleyball is in his genes as his father, Vladimir played professionally overseas until 2016, and his brother Alex is currently playing professionally and on the Bulgarian National Team after playing at Long Beach State and becoming the first-ever men's volleyball player to be named AVCA National Player of the Year as a freshman in 2022.
Jake Pazanti
Fr. | 6-3 | 175 lbs. | Setter | Huntington Beach, Calif. | Huntington Beach HS
Pazanti is a local product out of Huntington Beach High School where he is coming off of a season in which he was named Team MVP. A two-time Sunset League First Team selection, Pazanti also gained experience playing with Pinnacle Athletic Club under current LBSU Men's Volleyball Assistant Coach McKay Smith. While playing with Pinnacle, Pazanti earned a Silver Medal at the 2023 AAU Nationals 17U Open en route to being named All-American. In 2022, when playing for the AAU National 16U squad, Pazanti garnered All-American accolades on his way to earning a Bronze Medal.
Isaiah Preuitt
Fr. | 6-7 | 200 lbs. | Middle Blocker | Happy Valley, Ore. | Central Catholic HS
Preuitt comes to Long Beach State after playing club for the Ajax Volleyball Academy, which is recognized as one of the top boys clubs in the region. Additionally, Preuitt played on the USA U19 National Team in Guatemala where he helped his squad win Gold. Most recently, he made the roster for Worlds in Argentina.
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