Long Beach State University
1-3,0-0Big West
Portland State
1-3,0-0Big Sky
Long Beach State Falls To Portland State
9/4/2025 4:29:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Maxwell posts 19 assists and seven digs; King tallies 11 kills.
SAN FRANCISCO — Long Beach State dropped a 3-0 decision to Portland State on Thursday afternoon in the opening match of the University of San Francisco's Battle by the Bay.
Portland State weathered several Long Beach State rallies and closed strong behind a balanced attack to take the opening set 25-23. Willow Watson powered the Vikings with timely kills, including a set-point finisher late in the frame. Setter Ava Blascziek kept the offense moving, assisting on key swings by Naomi White and Sydney Stenson as Portland State built early momentum.
Long Beach State fought back from a 19-16 deficit, fueled by outside hitter Logan King, who posted several kills and teamed with Nieko Thomas for a block that tied the set at 23. But Portland State regrouped quickly, with Watson delivering from the outside and Brenna Coffman and Alivia Eikenberg combining on the decisive block to seal the set.
Portland State opened the second set with a 2-0 lead after a Watson kill and a service error by the Beach. LBSU clawed back behind the hitting of King and Elise Agi, but service aces from Paige Stepaniuk and steady defensive play gave the Vikings enough of a cushion to withstand the late surge.
The Beach stormed out to a 4-0 lead behind kills from Madi Maxwell and Anabel Kotzakov, forcing the Vikings to regroup quickly. PSU chipped away behind Eikenberg, who delivered back-to-back kills to steady the attack, and setter Stepaniuk, who sparked the rally with sharp distribution and a service ace.
The set turned midway through when White and Watson combined for a block to tie the score at 11. Freshman Tyra Schaub came off the bench and made an immediate impact, putting down a kill to push Portland State back in front, then adding another after a Long Beach State error for a 13-12 lead. Eikenberg followed with two more kills as the Vikings extended the margin to 15-13.
Long Beach State countered with King, who notched multiple kills to keep the set within reach, and a block from Rhiann Sheffie and Kotsakov cut the deficit to 18-17. After a timeout, the Beach drew even at 20 when a PSU miscue set up a kill from Thomas.
The final stretch saw both teams trade points. Schaub's kill gave Portland State a 23-21 edge, but King answered to level the score at 24. With the set on the line, Watson drilled a kill from the outside to set up set point, and Eikenberg finished it with a kill off a quick set from Levick, clinching the set, 26-24.
Portland State surged to a commanding lead midway through the third set and held off a late push from Long Beach State to secure a 25-20 victory and complete the sweep. Eikenberg powered the Vikings with multiple kills and a service ace during a 6-1 run that turned a 12-11 edge into an 18-12 advantage. Stenson and Amber Walker added kills, while White notched a solo block to push Portland State further in front.
Long Beach State leaned on Sidney Hamaker, who delivered a string of kills to keep the Beach within striking distance, trimming the deficit to 22-17. But the Vikings responded with back-to-back kills from Eikenberg and Watson to reach set point at 24-18. The Beach fought off two set points, but a service error by LBSU closed out the match for Portland State.
Maxwell recorded 19 assists and seven digs for LBSU. King paced the offense with 11 kills. Hamaker had nine kills and six digs. Thomas posted five kills and five blocks. Eikenberg led Portland State (1-3) with a double-double of 15 kills and 10 digs. Stepaniuk added 15 digs.
Long Beach State (1-3) travels to Santa Clara's Mission Classic on Friday, where the Beach will take on the host Broncos (0-2). Coverage on ESPN+ begins at 6 p.m.
