Long Beach State men’s volleyball fans got a show. The defending national champs opened their North American Challenge by sweeping Calgary in style. Skyler Varga? He was unstoppable, dropping 13 kills with a .500 hitting clip. This wasn't just a win. It was a statement.
Varga Leads the Charge
First-year head coach Nick MacRae pulled the strings perfectly. He mixed lineups, flexed the bench, and still got the job done. Varga, the senior star, led the charge. And just like that, Calgary had no answer.
"This is a big-time jump start for our season," said MacRae. "We have a great relationship with both teams, and they’re going to help challenge us and give us a lot of lessons to learn as a staff and a team."
Fresh Faces Make Impact
It's more than just the veterans. Freshmen like Jackson Cryst and Wojciech Gajek made their presence felt. Cryst, standing at 6-foot-10, was in on four blocks. Gajek? He was a force earlier against Alberta, with 16 kills earning him Player of the Game honors.
Long Beach Handles Business
The Beach hit a collective .431 against Calgary. With Alex Kandev and Daniil Hershtynovich chipping in seven kills each, Long Beach was straight up dominant. Calgary? No chance.
And from here… it’s only getting started. Sunday's doubleheader awaits, with another showdown against Calgary and a rematch with Alberta. You could feel it coming. Long Beach isn't just defending their title. They're out to prove they're still the team to beat.
That's big time.
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Source: the562.org
