We’re deep into the action. Conference champions are emerging, and the men's college volleyball scene is buzzing. Two powerhouses, Long Beach State and UCLA, are in the spotlight, but they’re heading in opposite directions.
Long Beach Rolls On
Long Beach State is straight up dominant. As the No. 1 seed in the Big West Tournament, they’ve earned their spot in the semifinals. They just wrapped up the season with two wins over UC San Diego. How did they do it? Sheer power.
Skyler Varga led the charge with 12 kills. Kellen Larson kept it tight on defense with 8 digs. But it was DiAeris McRaven who made a statement with 5 kills and 5 blocks. This isn’t just a team with depth; it’s a team with pedigree.
Roster loaded with national team experience. Ben Braun, Nato Dickinson — they’ve been there, done that. It’s not just about talent. It’s about experience. And just like that, they're looking to handle business in the semis against UCSD again. You could feel it coming.
UCLA Hits a Bump
Over in the MPSF, UCLA is feeling the heat. They’re the No. 1 seed, sure, but a recent 3-0 loss to USC raised eyebrows. Zach Rama racked up 18 kills, doing his best to keep the Bruins afloat. But even with Cooper Robinson adding 5 digs, it wasn’t enough.
Now, they face Pepperdine after a first-round bye. The stakes are high. A bounce-back is needed if they’re going to live up to their seeding. Andrew Rowan, with his 34 assists against USC, needs to step it up. This isn’t just another match; this is where it changed.
What's Next?
Long Beach State is cruising. UCLA? They've got work to do. Which team will handle business and which will falter? The semifinals are set to answer that. Get ready for more fireworks. That'll do it.
Source: USA Volleyball
