Long Beach State falls to Hawaii in NCAA volleyball title match

Very long Seaside State gamers lined up dutifully at the baseline to receive trophies they by no means prepared to receive. Tears begun welling in their eyes. In contrast to those people coming from Hawaii players on the other facet of the internet, these had been not content.

Again where its ascent to the major of the sport began in 2018, Extended Beach State’s bid for a third national championship in five decades ended in a sweep by Huge West rival Hawaii on Saturday. The Rainbow Warriors denied the Beach dynasty and recurring as countrywide champions, sweeping major-seeded Prolonged Beach front State for the 2nd consecutive match 25-22, 25-21, 25-20.

After not getting swept considering the fact that 2019, Lengthy Seashore Point out (21-6) completed the calendar year with two three-established losses in its previous 3 matches. Hawaii also upset Long Seaside Point out in the Huge West event, successful each individual established by two-stage margins.

It’s been six years because the Beach endured various sweeps in the similar time even though the crew recognized itself as a nationwide powerhouse. Only 3 players remained from the 2019 workforce that received Very long Seashore State’s next consecutive national title, but with a distinctive cast and the trauma of a pandemic, the Beach front remained a championship contender this season.

“I was so invigorated coaching these guys this yr for their strength and their hard work and their take care of and their commitment to this method and their craft,” Extended Beach front Condition coach Alan Knipe reported. “It’s a disappointing loss, it hurts, but I like this team.”

Hawaii and Lengthy Beach front State have shared the past four national championships. Lengthy Seaside Condition won in 2018, defeating UCLA at Pauley Pavilion, and 2019, having previous Hawaii at Walter Pyramid. After COVID-19 canceled the 2020 event, Hawaii commenced its reign, winning the program’s very first NCAA championship.

The Rainbow Warriors (27-5) lived up to their billing as the best blocking workforce in the state Saturday. Hawaii, which led the country with 2.89 blocks for each set entering the NCAA match, experienced 8 blocks, which include 4 in the initially established.

The Beach front strike .304, very well down below their .353 time typical, and squandered a five-place lead in the second set, relinquishing all momentum to Hawaii and its vocal followers who waved plastic Ti leaves and Hawaiian flags.

Long Beach front Condition outside hitter Alex Nikolov, who completed with 20 kills, reacts after a stage towards Hawaii.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez / Involved Push)

Alex Nikolov, the 1st freshman to acquire the national participant of the yr award, led Extended Seaside Condition with 20 kills on 37 makes an attempt with two assistance aces. Redshirt junior Spencer Olivier, who joined Nikolov on the all-match team, experienced 11 kills and 10 digs.

The last time these groups met in a countrywide championship sport, Extensive Seaside Condition delighted its house crowd of 3,824 with the program’s second consecutive nationwide title. Stars of that staff, which includes outside hitters TJ DeFalco and Kyle Ensing and setter Josh Tuaniga, have been amongst the 5,784 at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday, hopeful that the Beach’s reign could carry on.

But even that stacked roster that gained again-to-again titles had to wait for its second. The seniors credited with bringing Prolonged Seashore State back again to the best lost in the nationwide semifinal in back-to-back again yrs prior to breaking via.

This group, with only 1 senior and a freshman who is now the greatest player in the place, could be on a equivalent path.

“We’ll be back again,” sophomore libero Mason Briggs claimed.

Beach gamers are fired up soon after they attained a issue towards the Rainbow Warriors. Hawaii and Extensive Seashore Point out have received the previous 4 national championships.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez / Connected Press)

Briggs, an American Volleyball Coaches Assn. 1st-group All-American, known as the NCAA match the most important phase you can perform on as a collegiate men’s volleyball participant. Hawaii acquired to soak up the remaining moments in the spotlight as gamers dropped to the ground in celebration soon after Lengthy Seashore State was termed for a web infraction on the ultimate place.

Hawaii gamers pulled on championship hats and T-shirts and at the middle of their doggy pile, they raised the championship trophy.

Nikolov, with his arms draped about his teammates’ shoulders in a limited Long Seashore Point out huddle, peeked over his shoulder at the celebration.