Long Beach State University Athletics

Jackson Cryst Earns Big West Defensive Player Of The Week Honors
4/6/2026 3:08:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
Freshman middle goes back-to-back with weekly awards, earns third honor of the season
LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Jackson Cryst continued his standout freshman campaign by earning Big West Defensive Player of the Week honors, the conference announced Monday. It marks his third weekly award of the season and his second straight recognition after being named Freshman of the Week on March 30. Cryst also earned Defensive Player of the Week honors earlier this season on Jan. 12.
Cryst anchored Long Beach State at the net in a pair of conference victories over UC San Diego, totaling 12 blocks to average 1.50 blocks per set. He added three service aces across the two matches, impacting the match from both the service line and at the net while helping disrupt the Tritons' offensive rhythm.
In the opening match, Cryst recorded eight blocks and five kills on .714 hitting. He followed with four blocks, seven kills, and two aces in the series finale at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid, once again providing a strong two-way presence.
Among Big West leaders, Cryst currently ranks second in the conference in blocks per set at 1.06 and fourth in service aces per set at 0.46, highlighting his impact as both a front-row defender and a serving threat.
The freshman middle blocker has quickly established himself as one of the Big West's top defensive players, and his back-to-back weekly honors underscore his consistency and growing impact during conference play.
Cryst anchored Long Beach State at the net in a pair of conference victories over UC San Diego, totaling 12 blocks to average 1.50 blocks per set. He added three service aces across the two matches, impacting the match from both the service line and at the net while helping disrupt the Tritons' offensive rhythm.
In the opening match, Cryst recorded eight blocks and five kills on .714 hitting. He followed with four blocks, seven kills, and two aces in the series finale at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid, once again providing a strong two-way presence.
Among Big West leaders, Cryst currently ranks second in the conference in blocks per set at 1.06 and fourth in service aces per set at 0.46, highlighting his impact as both a front-row defender and a serving threat.
The freshman middle blocker has quickly established himself as one of the Big West's top defensive players, and his back-to-back weekly honors underscore his consistency and growing impact during conference play.
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