Ben Braun Named Big West Defensive Player Of The Week
1/19/2026 3:04:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
Beach earn defensive honor for the second consecutive week
LONG BEACH, Calif. -- No. 2 Long Beach State men's volleyball (5-0) once again asserted themselves as one of the nation's premier defensive teams as Ben Braun was named Big West Defensive Player of the Week, marking the second consecutive week the Beach have claimed the conference's top defensive honor in this young season.
Braun was the centerpiece of Long Beach State's net defense during a perfect 3-0 week, consistently controlling the middle and disrupting opposing offenses with his size, timing, and discipline. Across the week, he recorded 13 total blocks, averaging 1.86 blocks per set, a rate that changed match flow and forced opponents into difficult offensive situations.
His most dominant performance came in the road win at No. 13 Ohio State, where Braun posted six blocks and ten kills on 15 attempts in four sets, repeatedly closing seams and slowing one of the nation's most physical attacks. His presence at the net was instrumental in holding opponents to a .158 hitting percentage, reinforcing the Beach's ability to win matches by controlling first contact and the space above the tape.
Braun's impact extended beyond blocking, as he also delivered exceptional efficiency offensively. He totaled 14 kills on 19 swings, hitting an impressive .684 for the week, providing steady production without sacrificing his defensive responsibilities. His balance of physicality and efficiency continues to set the standard in the middle for Long Beach State.
With Braun anchoring the net, the Beach have now earned Defensive Player of the Week honors in back-to-back weeks, reflecting both individual excellence and a program-wide defensive identity. As Long Beach State remains unbeaten, Braun's consistency and presence have been central to the team's early-season success.
