No. 2 Long Beach State Set For Two-Match Series Against Concordia University Irvine

Friday, February 27

Irvine, Calif.

6 p.m.

Long Beach State University

Concordia Irvine

No. 2 Long Beach State Set For Two-Match Series Against Concordia University Irvine

2/26/2026 5:20:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

13 14 CUI

The Beach head to Irvine for a Friday night showdown with the Golden Eagles before returning home to host the Green and Gold on Saturday at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid.

By: Chelsea Pfohl, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- No. 2 Long Beach State returns to action this weekend for a two-match series against Concordia University Irvine, traveling to Irvine on Friday before hosting the Golden Eagles on Saturday at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid. The Beach enter at 9-2 overall, with their only setbacks coming against top ranked UCLA, and carry one of the nation's most efficient offenses and most aggressive service attacks into the weekend as they continue to build momentum.

RIGHT AWAY
• Beach Back on the Attack. No. 2 Long Beach State returns to the floor this weekend for a two-match set against Concordia University Irvine, opening Friday in Irvine before hosting the Golden Eagles Saturday night at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid.
• Long Beach State enters at 9-2 overall, with both losses coming against No. 1 UCLA. The Beach are 5-1 at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid, 3-1 on the road, and 1-0 on neutral courts. Seven of their nine wins have come in straight sets, underscoring how consistently they have controlled matches outside of the two meetings with the top-ranked Bruins.
• Through 11 matches, the Beach are hitting .363 as a team and averaging 12.08 kills per set while limiting opponents to a .208 hitting percentage and 9.74 kills per set.
• The service line continues to be a defining edge. Long Beach State averages 2.74 aces per set with 104 total aces, routinely forcing opponents out of system and converting pressure into direct points.
• At the net, the Beach average 2.66 blocks per set with 101.0 total team blocks. Opponents are averaging just 1.24 blocks per set, illustrating the physical advantage Long Beach State has established across the front row.
• Ball control remains steady and reliable. The Beach own a .947 team reception percentage and average 7.76 digs per set, providing the structure that fuels their high-efficiency attack.

THE MATCHUP
• Concordia Irvine enters at 3-9 overall and 0-3 in conference play, looking to stabilize against one of the nation's most balanced teams.
• The Golden Eagles are hitting .221 as a team and averaging 10.93 kills per set, while opponents are hitting .286 and producing 12.28 kills per set. Sustaining offensive efficiency has been a challenge against high-level competition.
• Concordia averages 1.40 aces and 1.86 blocks per set. Against a Beach squad that leads the nation in aces per set and ranks among the top teams in blocking, execution will be critical.
• Ties Cornelissen and Christian Galoppo lead CUI at just over 2.7 kills per set each, with Aidan Case directing the offense at 6.52 assists per set. The matchup centers on whether Concordia can establish rhythm before Long Beach State's serve-and-block pressure takes over.

IN THE RANKINGS
• Long Beach State is ranked No. 2 nationally and has played the nation's top-ranked team twice already, with both losses coming against No. 1 UCLA. Those matches account for the only blemishes on the Beach's record.
• Nationally, Long Beach State ranks No. 1 in aces per set, No. 6 in blocks per set, and No. 6 in hitting percentage. The Beach are also No. 14 in opponent hitting percentage and No. 19 in kills per set, reinforcing their identity as one of the country's most complete teams.
• Within the Big West, Long Beach State leads the conference in service aces and blocks. The Beach rank No. 3 in hitting percentage and opponent hitting percentage, and sit among the top five in kills, digs, and assists. The statistical profile shows no weak phase.

INDIVIDUAL IMPACT
• Skyler Varga anchors the offense at 3.24 kills per set while hitting .383. He leads the nation in aces per set at 0.81 and ranks No. 12 nationally in points per set at 4.50. His ability to generate runs from the service line has been a momentum-shifting factor all season.
• Jake Pazanti ranks No. 19 nationally in assists per set at 9.56 and directs an offense hitting .363 as a unit. His pace and distribution keep blockers guessing.
• Jackson Cryst ranks No. 13 nationally and No. 1 in the Big West in blocks per set at 1.16, serving as the anchor of a front row that consistently compresses space for opposing hitters.
• Alex Kandev contributes 2.56 kills per set and 0.75 aces per set, adding scoring balance and additional serving pressure.
• Daniil Hershtynovich adds 2.67 kills per set, providing reliable production in transition.
• Kellen Larson steadies the backcourt at 1.79 digs per set with a .955 reception percentage, supplying the first contact that allows the Beach offense to operate at full tempo.