Long Beach State University Athletics
Skyler Varga Named to Inaugural AVCA National Player of the Year Watch List
2/4/2026 11:00:00 AM | Men's Volleyball
Long Beach State outside hitter one of 15 student-athletes selected nationally for first-ever men’s volleyball watch list
LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Long Beach State men's volleyball standout senior Skyler Varga has been named to the inaugural AVCA National Collegiate Men's Volleyball Player of the Year Watch List, as announced Wednesday, February 4, by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
The AVCA introduced the watch list for the first time this season to recognize the nation's top individual performers in men's collegiate volleyball. The 2026 list includes 15 players from 11 programs across the country, with Varga representing Long Beach State.
Varga has been a driving force behind the Beach's unbeaten 8-0 start to the season and ranks among the top all-around players nationally. He is currently first in the conference and seventh nationally in points per set at 4.74, while also ranking seventh in the conference and 46th nationally in kills per set at 3.16. Varga is hitting .416 on the season, placing him fifth in the conference and 19th nationally.
The senior outside hitter has also been one of the most effective servers in the country, ranking first in the conference and second nationally in service aces per set at 1.08. In addition, he contributes on the defensive end, ranking seventh in the conference in digs per set (1.72) while also sitting among the league's top blockers.
Through the first month of the season, Varga has recorded double-digit kills in three matches, including a season-high 18 kills at Pepperdine and 14 kills against Ohio State. He has also produced multiple standout serving performances, highlighted by seven service aces against both Fort Valley State and McKendree.
Coming off the heels of a National Championship season in 2025, Long Beach State have established themselves in 2026 as one of the nation's most dominant programs, ranking first nationally in match winning percentage, first in the conference and nationally in aces per set, and third nationally in hitting percentage (.407). The Beach also ranks third nationally in blocks per set and remains unbeaten through the opening stretch of the season, having only dropped two sets in eight matches.
Â
Â
The AVCA introduced the watch list for the first time this season to recognize the nation's top individual performers in men's collegiate volleyball. The 2026 list includes 15 players from 11 programs across the country, with Varga representing Long Beach State.
Varga has been a driving force behind the Beach's unbeaten 8-0 start to the season and ranks among the top all-around players nationally. He is currently first in the conference and seventh nationally in points per set at 4.74, while also ranking seventh in the conference and 46th nationally in kills per set at 3.16. Varga is hitting .416 on the season, placing him fifth in the conference and 19th nationally.
The senior outside hitter has also been one of the most effective servers in the country, ranking first in the conference and second nationally in service aces per set at 1.08. In addition, he contributes on the defensive end, ranking seventh in the conference in digs per set (1.72) while also sitting among the league's top blockers.
Through the first month of the season, Varga has recorded double-digit kills in three matches, including a season-high 18 kills at Pepperdine and 14 kills against Ohio State. He has also produced multiple standout serving performances, highlighted by seven service aces against both Fort Valley State and McKendree.
Coming off the heels of a National Championship season in 2025, Long Beach State have established themselves in 2026 as one of the nation's most dominant programs, ranking first nationally in match winning percentage, first in the conference and nationally in aces per set, and third nationally in hitting percentage (.407). The Beach also ranks third nationally in blocks per set and remains unbeaten through the opening stretch of the season, having only dropped two sets in eight matches.
Â
Â
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Men's VolleyballAlan Knipe: Retrospective
Friday, December 19
NCAA National Collegiate Championship Post Match Press Conference (Finals)- #1 UCLA
Sunday, May 05
NCAA National Collegiate Championship Post-Match Press Conference (Finals) #2 Long Beach State
Sunday, May 05
#1 UCLA Practice Day 2024 NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship Press Conference
Friday, May 03
