Long Beach State University Athletics
Friday, May 1
Long Beach, Calif.
7 p.m.
Long Beach State University
vs
Saint Francis vs. Loyola Chicago
No. 2 Long Beach State Hosts No. 10 Loyola Chicago And Saint Francis In The NCAA Championship Long Beach Regional At The LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid
4/30/2026 1:08:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
Beach set to host NCAA Regional following a Big West title run, opening against the winner of Loyola Chicago vs Saint Francis with a semifinal berth on the line
LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Long Beach State enters the NCAA Tournament as the No. 2 overall seed and one of the most complete teams in the country, hosting the Long Beach Regional at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid following a Big West Championship run capped by a five-set win over Hawai'i.
The Beach now shift from conference dominance to national contention, opening against the winner of #10 Loyola Chicago and Saint Francis.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, May 1
Game 1: #10 Loyola Chicago vs Saint Francis – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 2
Game 2: #2 Long Beach State vs Game 1 Winner – 6:00 p.m.
RIGHT AWAY
At 24-4 overall and ranked No. 2 nationally, Long Beach State enters the postseason with one of the most complete statistical profiles in the country, built on elite efficiency and overwhelming first-contact pressure.
The Beach are hitting .347 while holding opponents to .217, maintaining a +.130 differential that consistently allows them to dictate tempo and control matches on both sides of the ball.
That control begins at the service line. Long Beach State has produced 225 aces at 2.23 per set while allowing just 84, creating a massive separation in first-contact pressure that routinely forces opponents out of system.
That disruption carries directly to the net, where the Beach average 2.73 blocks per set and hold a dominant total block advantage over opponents, turning broken plays into high-efficiency transition offense.
Offensively, Long Beach State generates 12.41 kills per set on .347 hitting, driven by distribution, efficiency, and system balance rather than reliance on a single scorer.
That balance has translated to production across every phase of the game, reflected in Big West weekly honors throughout the season and reinforced by postseason recognition across the roster.
POSTSEASON MOMENTUM
The Beach enter the NCAA Tournament playing their best volleyball of the season, coming off a five-set win over Hawai'i in the Big West Championship.
That performance reinforced their identity. Long Beach State can win extended matches, manage high-pressure moments, and maintain efficiency even when pushed deep into sets.
SCOUTING THE FIELD
#10 Loyola Chicago
Loyola enters at 20-8 overall and 12-4 in MIVA conference play, bringing a disciplined and efficient offensive system.
The Ramblers hit .327 as a team while averaging 12.8 kills per set, relying on structure and ball control rather than overwhelming physicality.
They are capable of extending matches and have five-set wins this season, making them a dangerous first-round opponent.
Saint Francis
Saint Francis enters at 18-11 and on a six-match winning streak after capturing the NEC Championship.
They average 11.2 kills per set on .233 hitting but generate pressure through aggressive serving at 1.7 aces per set and high defensive effort.
Momentum and serving will be their primary tools in trying to disrupt higher-seeded opponents.
MATCHUP OUTLOOK
The regional semifinal will be defined by first contact.
Both potential opponents operate most effectively in-system. Loyola relies on efficiency and structure, while Saint Francis depends on rhythm and serving runs.
Long Beach State is built to disrupt both.
The Beach's serve-and-block pipeline consistently forces opponents into out-of-system play, where their +.130 hitting percentage differential becomes decisive. When that disruption is established early, Long Beach State controls tempo and limits opponent scoring windows.
If Loyola advances, the matchup becomes a test of efficiency versus pressure. Loyola's .327 hitting is strong, but it has not faced consistent serve pressure at the level Long Beach State generates.
If Saint Francis advances, the match will hinge on serve-receive stability. Saint Francis can create runs, but Long Beach State's ability to respond with both serving and blocking advantages creates a higher ceiling over the course of a match.
IN THE NUMBERS
Long Beach State continues to rank among national leaders across key categories:
• Among national leaders in aces, blocks, and hitting percentage
• No. 1 in the Big West in opponent hitting percentage (.217)
• +.130 hitting percentage differential (.347 vs .217)
• Elite serve-to-block production driving consistent transition scoring
Individually:
Skyler Varga leads the offense at 3.15 kills per set and 4.04 points per set, serving as a six-rotation anchor.
Jake Pazanti directs the offense at 9.09 assists per set, orchestrating one of the most efficient systems in the country.
Jackson Cryst and Ben Braun form one of the top middle duos nationally, both hitting above .520 while averaging over one block per set.
Kellen Larson stabilizes the backcourt with 1.80 digs per set and elite reception consistency.
Alex Kandev adds another layer of pressure, ranking among national leaders at 0.56 aces per set.
BIG WEST RECOGNITION
In his first year at the helm, Head Coach Nick MacRae was named Coach of the Year after winning the Big West Championship.
Long Beach State placed three on the All-Big West First Team with Jackson Cryst, Kellen Larson and Skyler Varga, signaling a roster built on impact across every phase.
The future is already contributing: Cryst, Wojciech Gajek and Jake Pazanti all earned All-Freshman honors, highlighting the Beach's blend of immediate production and long-term depth.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
The winner of the Long Beach Regional advances to the Final Four on May 9, hosted by No. 1 UCLA at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles.
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The Beach now shift from conference dominance to national contention, opening against the winner of #10 Loyola Chicago and Saint Francis.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, May 1
Game 1: #10 Loyola Chicago vs Saint Francis – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 2
Game 2: #2 Long Beach State vs Game 1 Winner – 6:00 p.m.
RIGHT AWAY
At 24-4 overall and ranked No. 2 nationally, Long Beach State enters the postseason with one of the most complete statistical profiles in the country, built on elite efficiency and overwhelming first-contact pressure.
The Beach are hitting .347 while holding opponents to .217, maintaining a +.130 differential that consistently allows them to dictate tempo and control matches on both sides of the ball.
That control begins at the service line. Long Beach State has produced 225 aces at 2.23 per set while allowing just 84, creating a massive separation in first-contact pressure that routinely forces opponents out of system.
That disruption carries directly to the net, where the Beach average 2.73 blocks per set and hold a dominant total block advantage over opponents, turning broken plays into high-efficiency transition offense.
Offensively, Long Beach State generates 12.41 kills per set on .347 hitting, driven by distribution, efficiency, and system balance rather than reliance on a single scorer.
That balance has translated to production across every phase of the game, reflected in Big West weekly honors throughout the season and reinforced by postseason recognition across the roster.
POSTSEASON MOMENTUM
The Beach enter the NCAA Tournament playing their best volleyball of the season, coming off a five-set win over Hawai'i in the Big West Championship.
That performance reinforced their identity. Long Beach State can win extended matches, manage high-pressure moments, and maintain efficiency even when pushed deep into sets.
SCOUTING THE FIELD
#10 Loyola Chicago
Loyola enters at 20-8 overall and 12-4 in MIVA conference play, bringing a disciplined and efficient offensive system.
The Ramblers hit .327 as a team while averaging 12.8 kills per set, relying on structure and ball control rather than overwhelming physicality.
They are capable of extending matches and have five-set wins this season, making them a dangerous first-round opponent.
Saint Francis
Saint Francis enters at 18-11 and on a six-match winning streak after capturing the NEC Championship.
They average 11.2 kills per set on .233 hitting but generate pressure through aggressive serving at 1.7 aces per set and high defensive effort.
Momentum and serving will be their primary tools in trying to disrupt higher-seeded opponents.
MATCHUP OUTLOOK
The regional semifinal will be defined by first contact.
Both potential opponents operate most effectively in-system. Loyola relies on efficiency and structure, while Saint Francis depends on rhythm and serving runs.
Long Beach State is built to disrupt both.
The Beach's serve-and-block pipeline consistently forces opponents into out-of-system play, where their +.130 hitting percentage differential becomes decisive. When that disruption is established early, Long Beach State controls tempo and limits opponent scoring windows.
If Loyola advances, the matchup becomes a test of efficiency versus pressure. Loyola's .327 hitting is strong, but it has not faced consistent serve pressure at the level Long Beach State generates.
If Saint Francis advances, the match will hinge on serve-receive stability. Saint Francis can create runs, but Long Beach State's ability to respond with both serving and blocking advantages creates a higher ceiling over the course of a match.
IN THE NUMBERS
Long Beach State continues to rank among national leaders across key categories:
• Among national leaders in aces, blocks, and hitting percentage
• No. 1 in the Big West in opponent hitting percentage (.217)
• +.130 hitting percentage differential (.347 vs .217)
• Elite serve-to-block production driving consistent transition scoring
Individually:
Skyler Varga leads the offense at 3.15 kills per set and 4.04 points per set, serving as a six-rotation anchor.
Jake Pazanti directs the offense at 9.09 assists per set, orchestrating one of the most efficient systems in the country.
Jackson Cryst and Ben Braun form one of the top middle duos nationally, both hitting above .520 while averaging over one block per set.
Kellen Larson stabilizes the backcourt with 1.80 digs per set and elite reception consistency.
Alex Kandev adds another layer of pressure, ranking among national leaders at 0.56 aces per set.
BIG WEST RECOGNITION
In his first year at the helm, Head Coach Nick MacRae was named Coach of the Year after winning the Big West Championship.
Long Beach State placed three on the All-Big West First Team with Jackson Cryst, Kellen Larson and Skyler Varga, signaling a roster built on impact across every phase.
The future is already contributing: Cryst, Wojciech Gajek and Jake Pazanti all earned All-Freshman honors, highlighting the Beach's blend of immediate production and long-term depth.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
The winner of the Long Beach Regional advances to the Final Four on May 9, hosted by No. 1 UCLA at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles.
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Players Mentioned
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