Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State Men’s Volleyball Set to Induct Five New Members Into The Wall Of Honor
10/19/2024 9:13:00 AM | Men's Volleyball
Long Beach Legends TJ DeFalco, Kyle Ensing, and Josh Tuaniga will be inducted along with longtime supporters Mike and Therese Butler
LONG BEACH, Calif. – The Long Beach State Men's Volleyball program will be inducting five new members into the Wall of Honor as TJ DeFalco, Kyle Ensing, Josh Tuaniga, as well as longtime supporters Mike and Therese Butler will join the prestigious group.
The quintet of inductees will be forever enshrined in the Wall of Honor at the annual Randy Sandefur Memorial Golf Tournament on Monday, June 9, 2025.
The major criteria for the Wall of Honor, as outlined by the committee, are as follows: the person must have represented the Long Beach State Men's Volleyball program with unparalleled success or achievement and truly embodied the passion, commitment, and loyalty that defines the true meaning of a 49er.
The five inductees have done just that as they have demonstrated a commitment to the Long Beach State Men's Volleyball program that has far exceeded expectations. These five have proudly represented the Black and Gold and helped the Beach establish itself as one of the perennial powerhouses in the nation over the last several decades.
"This particular group of young men played all four years together at Long Beach State and are the embodiment of the winning culture of head coach Alan Knipe," said Wall of Honor Co-Chairs Harold Noriega and Mike D'Alessandro. "Their hard work and dedication not only contributed to two National Championship titles for the university but has created fine and outstanding young men and citizens.
"In addition, this year we are honoring longtime supporters of the program, Therese and Mike Butler. Team Butler has supported the program long before their son Matt played his four years of volleyball at Long Beach State, and they still continue today with their support of the program. We are excited to welcome these five new Legends into the Wall of Honor."
The trio of players were part of one of the most decorated classes in Long Beach State Men's Volleyball history as they put together a record of 108-15 (.878) from 2016-19. During that span, DeFalco, Ensing, and Tuaniga led LBSU to two NCAA National Championships, four-straight NCAA Final Four appearances, three regular season conference titles, two conference tournament championships, and set a program record 43-consecutive home victories inside the Walter Pyramid.
A three-time National Player of the Year (2017-19) and four-time AVCA First Team All-American (2016-19), DeFalco finished his Long Beach State career as the program's all-time service aces leader (183), is ranked fifth all-time with 1,661 career kills, and comes in seventh in career digs (773).
DeFalco kicked off his collegiate career as the 2016 MPSF Freshman of the Year and went on to win the 2017 MPSF and 2018 Big West Player of the Year awards, respectively. He was a four-time All-Conference First Team selection as he earned the honors twice in both the MPSF and The Big West. He was named to the NCAA Tournament Teams in 2016 and 2018, and was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2019.
Following his graduation from Long Beach State, DeFalco has made a name for himself playing professionally in Italy, Poland, and Japan. He also has been an integral part of the USA Men's National Team, representing the United States in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and in the 2024 Paris Olympics where he won a Bronze Medal.
Ensing is a two-time AVCA First Team All-American and the 2019 Big West Player of the Year. He concluded his career at Long Beach State with 1,421 kills to rank 10th all-time at the Beach. In his senior year, he set the LBSU single-match record for most aces in an NCAA Tournament match after he served up six aces against Pepperdine in the 2019 Final Four. The three-time First Team All-Conference selection and 2018 NCAA All-Tournament Team selection registered 140 service aces in his career to rank third all-time at Long Beach State.
The 6-foot-7 Ensing has played professionally overseas in Germany, Israel, and France since graduating from Long Beach State in 2019. Earlier this season, he helped Saint Nazaire win the French League Championship.
A member of the U.S. Men's National Team since 2017, Ensing competed in the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games and served as an alternate at the 2024 Paris Olympics. In 2023, he helped lead Team USA to Gold in the Olympic Qualifier, after earning Silver in the 2023 Volleyball Nations League.
Tuaniga wrapped up his career at Long Beach State as the 2018 AVCA National Player of the Year and was a three-time AVCA All-American. He was named to both the 2018 and 2019 All-Tournament Teams earning the Most Outstanding Player distinction in 2018. Known for running one of the most efficient offenses in collegiate volleyball from 2016-19, Tuaniga distributed 4,607 career assists to rank fourth at the Beach. He is just one of five players in Long Beach State program history to record at least 4,000 career assists.
The 2019 graduate of Long Beach State University went on to play professionally in Poland. A member of the U.S. Men's National Team since 2016, Tuaniga earned Silver at the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Nations League Final Round, took Bronze at the 2019 FIVB World Cup, and won Gold at the 2016 NORCECA Continental Championship where he was named MVP and Best Setter.
"This is a very special class for many reasons, but mainly because these three players will always be attached at the hip when you talk about that era," said Long Beach State Head Men's Volleyball Coach and Wall of Honor member Alan Knipe. "They all started as freshmen, went to four Final Fours, won two National Championships, three National Player of the Year awards, and three conference player of the year awards. The accolades speak to what they were able to do for us.
"Post Long Beach, they've gone on to have national careers playing professionally and in the Olympic Games. All three are great examples of what the Wall of Honor means. They are fully committed, all in, and bleed Black & Gold."
Rounding out the Wall of Honor selections are Mike and Therese Butler who have long been associated with the Long Beach State Men's Volleyball program. The couple have supported the Beach as fans, donors, and parents, as well as part of the stats crew on gamedays. They have organized fundraisers and socials over the years, often behind the scenes, quietly dedicating their lives to LBSU Men's Volleyball. Both alumni of Long Beach State University, Mike and Therese have been part of the Beach family for decades.
"Mike and Therese have been invaluable supporters of our program from well before I was even a player," said Knipe. "Their commitment, love, and generosity are unmatched. Our program would not be what it is today without their help."
These five extraordinary individuals will have their names added to the Wall of Honor, which is located in the Hall of Champions in the Volleyball Suite of the Walter Pyramid.
The quintet of inductees will be forever enshrined in the Wall of Honor at the annual Randy Sandefur Memorial Golf Tournament on Monday, June 9, 2025.
The major criteria for the Wall of Honor, as outlined by the committee, are as follows: the person must have represented the Long Beach State Men's Volleyball program with unparalleled success or achievement and truly embodied the passion, commitment, and loyalty that defines the true meaning of a 49er.
The five inductees have done just that as they have demonstrated a commitment to the Long Beach State Men's Volleyball program that has far exceeded expectations. These five have proudly represented the Black and Gold and helped the Beach establish itself as one of the perennial powerhouses in the nation over the last several decades.
"This particular group of young men played all four years together at Long Beach State and are the embodiment of the winning culture of head coach Alan Knipe," said Wall of Honor Co-Chairs Harold Noriega and Mike D'Alessandro. "Their hard work and dedication not only contributed to two National Championship titles for the university but has created fine and outstanding young men and citizens.
"In addition, this year we are honoring longtime supporters of the program, Therese and Mike Butler. Team Butler has supported the program long before their son Matt played his four years of volleyball at Long Beach State, and they still continue today with their support of the program. We are excited to welcome these five new Legends into the Wall of Honor."
The trio of players were part of one of the most decorated classes in Long Beach State Men's Volleyball history as they put together a record of 108-15 (.878) from 2016-19. During that span, DeFalco, Ensing, and Tuaniga led LBSU to two NCAA National Championships, four-straight NCAA Final Four appearances, three regular season conference titles, two conference tournament championships, and set a program record 43-consecutive home victories inside the Walter Pyramid.
A three-time National Player of the Year (2017-19) and four-time AVCA First Team All-American (2016-19), DeFalco finished his Long Beach State career as the program's all-time service aces leader (183), is ranked fifth all-time with 1,661 career kills, and comes in seventh in career digs (773).
DeFalco kicked off his collegiate career as the 2016 MPSF Freshman of the Year and went on to win the 2017 MPSF and 2018 Big West Player of the Year awards, respectively. He was a four-time All-Conference First Team selection as he earned the honors twice in both the MPSF and The Big West. He was named to the NCAA Tournament Teams in 2016 and 2018, and was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2019.
Following his graduation from Long Beach State, DeFalco has made a name for himself playing professionally in Italy, Poland, and Japan. He also has been an integral part of the USA Men's National Team, representing the United States in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and in the 2024 Paris Olympics where he won a Bronze Medal.
Ensing is a two-time AVCA First Team All-American and the 2019 Big West Player of the Year. He concluded his career at Long Beach State with 1,421 kills to rank 10th all-time at the Beach. In his senior year, he set the LBSU single-match record for most aces in an NCAA Tournament match after he served up six aces against Pepperdine in the 2019 Final Four. The three-time First Team All-Conference selection and 2018 NCAA All-Tournament Team selection registered 140 service aces in his career to rank third all-time at Long Beach State.
The 6-foot-7 Ensing has played professionally overseas in Germany, Israel, and France since graduating from Long Beach State in 2019. Earlier this season, he helped Saint Nazaire win the French League Championship.
A member of the U.S. Men's National Team since 2017, Ensing competed in the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games and served as an alternate at the 2024 Paris Olympics. In 2023, he helped lead Team USA to Gold in the Olympic Qualifier, after earning Silver in the 2023 Volleyball Nations League.
Tuaniga wrapped up his career at Long Beach State as the 2018 AVCA National Player of the Year and was a three-time AVCA All-American. He was named to both the 2018 and 2019 All-Tournament Teams earning the Most Outstanding Player distinction in 2018. Known for running one of the most efficient offenses in collegiate volleyball from 2016-19, Tuaniga distributed 4,607 career assists to rank fourth at the Beach. He is just one of five players in Long Beach State program history to record at least 4,000 career assists.
The 2019 graduate of Long Beach State University went on to play professionally in Poland. A member of the U.S. Men's National Team since 2016, Tuaniga earned Silver at the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Nations League Final Round, took Bronze at the 2019 FIVB World Cup, and won Gold at the 2016 NORCECA Continental Championship where he was named MVP and Best Setter.
"This is a very special class for many reasons, but mainly because these three players will always be attached at the hip when you talk about that era," said Long Beach State Head Men's Volleyball Coach and Wall of Honor member Alan Knipe. "They all started as freshmen, went to four Final Fours, won two National Championships, three National Player of the Year awards, and three conference player of the year awards. The accolades speak to what they were able to do for us.
"Post Long Beach, they've gone on to have national careers playing professionally and in the Olympic Games. All three are great examples of what the Wall of Honor means. They are fully committed, all in, and bleed Black & Gold."
Rounding out the Wall of Honor selections are Mike and Therese Butler who have long been associated with the Long Beach State Men's Volleyball program. The couple have supported the Beach as fans, donors, and parents, as well as part of the stats crew on gamedays. They have organized fundraisers and socials over the years, often behind the scenes, quietly dedicating their lives to LBSU Men's Volleyball. Both alumni of Long Beach State University, Mike and Therese have been part of the Beach family for decades.
"Mike and Therese have been invaluable supporters of our program from well before I was even a player," said Knipe. "Their commitment, love, and generosity are unmatched. Our program would not be what it is today without their help."
These five extraordinary individuals will have their names added to the Wall of Honor, which is located in the Hall of Champions in the Volleyball Suite of the Walter Pyramid.
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