Long Beach State Men’s Volleyball Signs Nation’s Top Recruiting Class In November Window
12/8/2025 12:00:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
Beach welcome five world-class student-athletes to Class of 2026
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Long Beach State men's volleyball added one of the most accomplished recruiting classes in the nation during the November signing window, welcoming five elite prospects who are widely regarded as the top recruiting class in the country. The Class of 2026 features international standouts, national team members, gold medalists, and multiple state champions in Joosep Kurik (Tallinn, Estonia), Lucas Helle (South Carolina), Ben Bayer (Menomonee Falls, Wis.), Owen Weekes (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada), and Logan Gray (Chandler, Ariz.).
"This Long Beach State men's volleyball Class of 2026 is comprised of five world-class student-athletes," said coach Nick MacRae. "We are excited to unite these young men and their families with our Long Beach family. They have immediately bought into our team standards and core values as we work toward maintaining sustainable success for years to come. All five of these young men bleed LB Black & Gold and truly embody our LB Grit."
With size across the pins, elite ball control, high-level setting, and proven championship experience, the class immediately elevates the Beach across every position group while reinforcing the program's national and international recruiting footprint.
"I am grateful to have recruited this Class of 2026 alongside Coach McKay Smith," MacRae added. "Smith is an essential part of our LB family. With their commitment to high volleyball standards, high academic goals and being holistic young men, we are thrilled to announce this recruiting class."
Joosep Kurik | OH | 6-8 | Tallinn, Estonia | Chenois Genève Volley
Kurik brings elite European club experience and international success to the Beach. The 6-8 outside hitter helped lead Chenois Genève Volley to the 2023 Swiss Supercup championship and was named Swiss League Youngster of the Year for the 2024–25 season. He is also a member of the Estonia U19 National Team.
Lucas Helle | S | 6-5 | South Carolina | Carolina Stars
Helle arrives with one of the most decorated prep résumés in the country. He is a four-time 5A South Carolina State Champion, a two-time 5A State Player of the Year, and both an AAU and JVA All-American. Helle also competes with the USA U19 National Team and plays club with Carolina Stars.
Ben Bayer | OH/L | 6-2 | Menomonee Falls, Wis. | Milwaukee Sting
A versatile outside hitter and libero, Bayer brings elite defensive ability and international championship experience. He helped lead the USA U19 National Team to gold at the 2025 Pan American Cup, earning Best Receiver of the Tournament honors. A multiple-time Open Division All-American and All-Tournament Team selection, Bayer is also a two-time First Team All-State selection, GMC Conference Player of the Year, and a 2025 State Champion.
Owen Weekes | OH/OPP | 6-8 | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | University of Manitoba
Weekes joins the Beach as a collegiate transfer and accomplished international competitor. A member of the Canada U21 National Team, he earned silver medals at both the U21 NORCECA Championships and the U21 Pan American Cup. At the University of Manitoba, Weekes was named to the CanWest All-Rookie Team, U SPORTS All-Rookie Team, and earned the school's All-Sport Rookie of the Year award.
Logan Gray | OH | 6-6 | Chandler, Ariz. | AZ Fear
Gray brings championship experience and national development exposure to Long Beach State. A three-time Arizona State Champion, he competes with AZ Fear and is a member of the USA NTDP program in both indoor and beach volleyball.
With national team experience spanning four countries, multiple gold and silver medalists, state champions, and some of the most decorated prep, club, and collegiate athletes in the country, Long Beach State's Class of 2026 stands as one of the most complete recruiting groups in program history. The class combines immediate impact potential with long-term stability and development across every position group, positioning the Beach to contend at the highest level for years to come.
"They come to our family ready to unlock their volleyball potential by competing for national championships, performing on the world's biggest international stages, and pursuing Olympic dreams," MacRae said. "They bring a wealth of experience from both the USA and international volleyball pipelines, with many of them already competing in major moments."
Together, this group continues the tradition of elite volleyball and championship expectations that define Long Beach State.
"This Long Beach State men's volleyball Class of 2026 is comprised of five world-class student-athletes," said coach Nick MacRae. "We are excited to unite these young men and their families with our Long Beach family. They have immediately bought into our team standards and core values as we work toward maintaining sustainable success for years to come. All five of these young men bleed LB Black & Gold and truly embody our LB Grit."
With size across the pins, elite ball control, high-level setting, and proven championship experience, the class immediately elevates the Beach across every position group while reinforcing the program's national and international recruiting footprint.
"I am grateful to have recruited this Class of 2026 alongside Coach McKay Smith," MacRae added. "Smith is an essential part of our LB family. With their commitment to high volleyball standards, high academic goals and being holistic young men, we are thrilled to announce this recruiting class."
Joosep Kurik | OH | 6-8 | Tallinn, Estonia | Chenois Genève Volley
Kurik brings elite European club experience and international success to the Beach. The 6-8 outside hitter helped lead Chenois Genève Volley to the 2023 Swiss Supercup championship and was named Swiss League Youngster of the Year for the 2024–25 season. He is also a member of the Estonia U19 National Team.
Lucas Helle | S | 6-5 | South Carolina | Carolina Stars
Helle arrives with one of the most decorated prep résumés in the country. He is a four-time 5A South Carolina State Champion, a two-time 5A State Player of the Year, and both an AAU and JVA All-American. Helle also competes with the USA U19 National Team and plays club with Carolina Stars.
Ben Bayer | OH/L | 6-2 | Menomonee Falls, Wis. | Milwaukee Sting
A versatile outside hitter and libero, Bayer brings elite defensive ability and international championship experience. He helped lead the USA U19 National Team to gold at the 2025 Pan American Cup, earning Best Receiver of the Tournament honors. A multiple-time Open Division All-American and All-Tournament Team selection, Bayer is also a two-time First Team All-State selection, GMC Conference Player of the Year, and a 2025 State Champion.
Owen Weekes | OH/OPP | 6-8 | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | University of Manitoba
Weekes joins the Beach as a collegiate transfer and accomplished international competitor. A member of the Canada U21 National Team, he earned silver medals at both the U21 NORCECA Championships and the U21 Pan American Cup. At the University of Manitoba, Weekes was named to the CanWest All-Rookie Team, U SPORTS All-Rookie Team, and earned the school's All-Sport Rookie of the Year award.
Logan Gray | OH | 6-6 | Chandler, Ariz. | AZ Fear
Gray brings championship experience and national development exposure to Long Beach State. A three-time Arizona State Champion, he competes with AZ Fear and is a member of the USA NTDP program in both indoor and beach volleyball.
With national team experience spanning four countries, multiple gold and silver medalists, state champions, and some of the most decorated prep, club, and collegiate athletes in the country, Long Beach State's Class of 2026 stands as one of the most complete recruiting groups in program history. The class combines immediate impact potential with long-term stability and development across every position group, positioning the Beach to contend at the highest level for years to come.
"They come to our family ready to unlock their volleyball potential by competing for national championships, performing on the world's biggest international stages, and pursuing Olympic dreams," MacRae said. "They bring a wealth of experience from both the USA and international volleyball pipelines, with many of them already competing in major moments."
Together, this group continues the tradition of elite volleyball and championship expectations that define Long Beach State.
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