Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State University
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Lindenwood
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Long Beach State Sweeps Lindenwood In Season Opener
1/9/2026 10:06:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
Long Beach State opened the 2026 season Friday with a straight-set victory over Lindenwood at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Playing its first official match of the 2026 season after capturing the 2025 national championship, Long Beach State opened the year with a straight-set victory over Lindenwood on Friday afternoon inside the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid. The Beach controlled play throughout the match, earning a 3-0 win to begin the season at home.
The Beach set the tone early in the opening set, weathering a stretch of serving errors from both teams before gaining separation midway through the frame. After Lindenwood briefly surged ahead, Long Beach State responded with strong play at the net and efficient sideout execution. Wojciech Gajek and Alex Kandev helped spark the offense, while the Beach used a late run to pull ahead. A service ace by Skyler Varga brought up set point, and Kandev closed the frame with a kill to give Long Beach State a 25-21 advantage.
Long Beach State took control in the second set behind dominant blocking and improved efficiency. After trailing early, the Beach rallied with a series of kills and net violations by Lindenwood to flip the momentum. A successful challenge swung the score in Long Beach State's favor, igniting a decisive run that pushed the Beach into the media timeout with a lead. The Beach continued to apply pressure defensively, recording multiple stuff blocks, and an ace from Jake Pazanti sealed a convincing 25-16 win.
The third set proved more competitive, with Lindenwood creating early separation and forcing Long Beach State to respond. The Beach chipped away behind steady sideout play and timely serving, eventually evening the score and pulling ahead late. Ben Braun and Gajek anchored the defense at the net, while Long Beach State capitalized on Lindenwood errors to extend the lead. A triple block on match point ended the contest, securing a 25-20 victory and the sweep.
Skyler Varga and Alex Kandev paced the Beach with nine kills apiece, while Gajek added six kills. Braun finished with four kills on .500 hitting and was part of a strong blocking effort that saw Long Beach State total 12 team blocks. Pazanti directed the offense with 24 assists, and the Beach hit .338 as a team while holding Lindenwood to a .000 hitting percentage.
Long Beach State returns to action Saturday afternoon when the Beach host No. 13 McKendree at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid
