No. 3 Long Beach State Meets No. 13 UC San Diego In Two-Match Big West Series

Friday, April 3

La Jolla, Calif.

7 p.m.

Long Beach State University

UC San Diego

No. 3 Long Beach State Meets No. 13 UC San Diego In Two-Match Big West Series

4/2/2026 3:53:00 PM | Men's Volleyball

21 22 UCSD

The Beach open Friday on the road before returning to the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid on Saturday, bringing their conference-leading serve and block into a matchup of contrasting styles

By: Chelsea Pfohl, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Long Beach State enters the weekend with its identity clearly established. At 16-4, the Beach have built their success on pressure from the service line, control at the net, and balanced offensive production. That approach will be tested in a two-match series against UC San Diego, beginning on the road Friday before shifting back to the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid on Saturday, where first contact and tempo will define the matchup.

RIGHT AWAY
• At 16-4, the Beach have built one of the most complete statistical profiles in the country. They're hitting .359 as a team while holding opponents to .223, a gap that reflects control on both sides of the ball.

• That control starts at the service line. Long Beach State leads the nation in aces, consistently applying pressure that forces opponents out of system before rallies even begin.

• From there, it carries to the net. The Beach lead the Big West and are fourth in the country in blocks, combining physicality with discipline to take away angles and simplify defensive responsibilities behind them.

• Offensively, the production is balanced. With over 12 kills per set and strong distribution, the system isn't built around one player, it's built around tempo, spacing, and efficiency.

THE MATCHUP
• UC San Diego enters at 11-9 with a team identity built on rhythm and execution. The Tritons are efficient offensively, hitting over .300 as a group while averaging more than 12 kills per set.

• Their offense is balanced and methodical. Multiple attackers contribute, and the system is designed to create clean looks through consistent first contact and steady distribution.

• This sets up a clear contrast in styles. UC San Diego wants extended rallies and offensive rhythm. Long Beach State wants disruption, pressure, and control from the first touch.

• The match will hinge on first contact. If the Beach can establish themselves from the service line, they limit UCSD's ability to run its offense. If UCSD passes cleanly, they can turn the match into a more balanced, back-and-forth battle.

IN THE RANKINGS
• Long Beach State's identity shows up clearly in the Big West rankings. They sit at the top of the conference in both aces and blocks, two categories that directly influence match control.

• That combination defines how they play. The serve creates instability, and the block capitalizes on it. Few teams in the conference can match that one-two combination.

• Nationally, that profile holds. Long Beach State is the top serving team in the country and one of the elite blocking teams, while still maintaining strong offensive numbers.

• Individually, the production is spread across the lineup. Skyler Varga stands out as one of the most complete players in the conference, impacting matches as both a scorer and the conference's top server.

• Jake Pazanti continues to rank among the top setters, orchestrating an offense that doesn't rely on one option.

• Jackson Cryst has emerged as one of the premier blockers in the Big West, anchoring the middle of the net.

• And in the backcourt, Kellen Larson's presence among the conference leaders reflects how consistent the Beach are even in the less visible phases of the game.

TEAM IDENTITY
• Long Beach State's identity is rooted in pressure. The Beach don't wait for rallies to develop, they create advantages immediately from the service line.

• That pressure shows up in the numbers. With a significant edge in total aces (174) over their opponents (55), they consistently force teams into predictable, high-ball situations.

• Once that happens, the block takes over. The Beach close space quickly at the net, turning out-of-system swings into controlled defensive plays or direct points.

• When they control first contact, matches tend to move quickly. Their efficiency allows them to separate early and maintain that gap.

• Defensively, they are just as disciplined. Opponents struggle to find sustained rhythm, and long scoring runs are difficult to come by.

• Against a team like UC San Diego, that identity becomes even more important. The longer rallies extend, the more opportunities UCSD has to execute its system. The Beach's goal is to prevent that from ever getting started.

INDIVIDUAL IMPACT
• Skyler Varga, Sr., OH
Varga is the centerpiece of everything Long Beach State does, and the numbers back it up. He leads the Big West in aces at 0.58 per set while ranking 4th in points (4.14/set), 6th in kills (3.17/set), and 4th in hitting percentage (.362). His ability to produce across every category makes him one of the most complete players in the conference and a constant stabilizing presence in all six rotations. In the second match against CSUN, Varga surpassed the elite 750 kills/300 digs/200 blocks career milestone.

• Jake Pazanti, R-Fr., S
Pazanti controls the rhythm of the match as one of the top setters in the Big West, ranking 3rd at 9.72 assists per set. His distribution keeps the offense balanced and unpredictable, allowing multiple hitters to stay involved while maintaining the efficiency that defines the Beach attack.

• Jackson Cryst, Fr., MB
Cryst, last week's Big Wet Freshman of the Week, has quickly become one of the premier blockers in the conference, ranking 3rd in the Big West at 1.01 blocks per set. His presence at the net alters opposing offenses, and his .526 hitting percentage adds an efficient scoring option in the middle.

• Alex Kandev, So., OH
Kandev brings steady two-way production, averaging 0.56 aces per set and 2.50 kills per set. He remains a key part of the Beach's service pressure while providing reliable scoring on the outside.

• Wojciech Gajek, Fr., OPP
Gajek continues to emerge as a major offensive option, averaging 2.63 kills per set on .324 hitting. In conference play, he has elevated his production to 4.75 kills per set, showing his ability to deliver in high-level matches.

• Ben Braun, Sr., MB
Braun gives Long Beach State one of the most efficient middle presences in the country, hitting .554 while adding 1.00 blocks per set. His consistency in the middle keeps the offense balanced and forces defenses to account for every zone.

• Kellen Larson, So., L
Larson anchors the backcourt and ranks 6th in the Big West in digs at 1.51 per set. His control in serve receive allows the offense to operate in system, and his defensive consistency limits extended rallies and second-chance opportunities.