No. 2 Long Beach State Opens Big West Play Against No. 3 Hawai'i

Friday, March 20

Long Beach, Calif.

7 p.m.

Long Beach State University

Hawai'i

Tickets From $28 - $44

No. 2 Long Beach State Opens Big West Play Against No. 3 Hawai'i

3/19/2026 11:00:00 AM | Men's Volleyball

17 18 Hawai'i

Top-three national matchup headlines Big West opener at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid

By: Chelsea Pfohl, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Conference play opens with immediate stakes as No. 2 Long Beach State hosts No. 3 Hawai'i in a marquee Big West showdown at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid. Both teams enter as national contenders with contrasting identities, setting the stage for an early season match that could shape the conference race and national picture.

RIGHT AWAY
• No. 2 Long Beach State continues its homestand at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid, after sweeping that last four matches at home. A top-three showdown is on deck this weekend as the Beach prepare to face No. 3 Hawai'i in one of the premier matchups in the country.

• Long Beach State enters at 14-2 overall, with both losses coming against No. 1 UCLA. Since then, the Beach have responded with authority, with five consecutive wins, sweeping the last four matches, including a straight sets win against #13 Penn State.

• This team is starting to separate itself through efficiency and control. Long Beach State is hitting .368 as a team while holding opponents to just .197, creating a significant margin in attacking success that few teams nationally can match.

• The identity begins from the service line. The Beach lead the nation at 2.80 aces per set and consistently apply pressure that forces opponents out of system. That pressure translates directly into scoring runs and allows Long Beach State to dictate tempo.

• At the net, Long Beach State continues to establish itself as one of the most physical blocking teams in the country, averaging 2.73 blocks per set. Their ability to close seams and take away angles has been a defining factor in holding opponents under .200 hitting.

• When Long Beach State is clean in first contact, the offense flows efficiently at over 12 kills per set. The result has been a team that not only wins, but controls matches from start to finish.

THE MATCHUP AHEAD
• Hawai'i enters ranked No. 3 nationally with a 17-3 record and one of the most dynamic offenses in the country. The Rainbow Warriors are hitting .401 as a team and averaging more than 14 kills per set, placing them among the most productive attacks in the NCAA.

• This sets up a compelling contrast. Hawai'i brings one of the most efficient offenses in the country, while Long Beach State counters with one of the top defensive units, holding opponents to a .197 hitting percentage.

• Hawai'i does not rely on a single scorer. They distribute across multiple high-level attackers, forcing defenses to defend the entire width of the net and making it difficult to key in on one option.

• For Long Beach State, the key will be maintaining service pressure and disrupting Hawai'i's offensive rhythm before it becomes established.

IN THE RANKINGS
• Long Beach State remains No. 2 in the AVCA National Collegiate MVB Poll with 469 points, trailing only UCLA and sitting just ahead of Hawai'i at No. 3.

• Nationally, the Beach rank No. 1 in aces per set at 2.80 and No. 2 in blocks per set at 2.73. They are also No. 4 in hitting percentage at .368 and No. 5 in opponent hitting percentage at .197.

• Within the Big West, Long Beach State leads the conference in aces, blocks, and opponent hitting percentage. They rank second in hitting percentage and remain in the top five in both kills and assists.

TEAM IDENTITY
• Long Beach State has been at its best when it establishes control early. The Beach are 11-0 in three set matches this season, showing that when they gain momentum, they are able to close matches efficiently without allowing opponents back into the contest.

• The separation often comes from the service line. Long Beach State has 151 total aces compared to just 44 allowed, creating a consistent advantage in first contact.

• Against a team like Hawai'i, that margin becomes critical. If the Beach can keep Hawai'i out of system, it changes the entire match dynamic.

INDIVIDUAL IMPACT
• Skyler Varga, Sr., OH
One of the most complete players in the conference, averaging 3.24 kills per set while hitting .386. He also contributes 4.36 points per set and ranks second in the nation in aces at 0.70 per set. Varga is a true six rotation presence who can take over stretches of a match both offensively and from the service line.

• Jake Pazanti, R-Fr., S
The engine of the offense, averaging 9.57 assists per set. His distribution has guided Long Beach State to one of the most efficient offenses in the country, and he continues to show poise in managing tempo and match flow.

• Jackson Cryst, Fr., MB
Leads the Big West in blocks at 1.13 per set while hitting .481. Cryst has quickly developed into a dominant presence at the net and is a key factor in Long Beach State's defensive identity.

• Alex Kandev, So., OH
Leads the nation with 0.72 aces per set while adding 2.56 kills per set. Kandev's ability to pressure opponents from the service line while contributing offensively makes him one of the most impactful two-way players on the roster.

• Wojciech Gajek, Fr., OPP
A steady right side option averaging 2.20 kills per set. Provides balance to the attack and gives Long Beach State a consistent scoring presence on the opposite pin.

• Ben Braun, Sr., MB
One of the most efficient attackers on the team, hitting .520 while averaging nearly a block per set. His experience and physicality in the middle continue to anchor the front court.

• Kellen Larson, So., L
Anchors the backcourt with 1.61 digs per set and strong reception numbers. His ability to control first contact allows the offense to operate at a high level.