LONG BEACH, Calif. — The No. 2 Long Beach State men’s volleyball team proved too strong for No. 16 Penn State on Saturday night, sweeping the Nittany Lions in straight sets (26-24, 25-18, 25-19) at the Walter Pyramid. The loss drops Penn State to 11-5 on the season, although Long Beach State improves to 12-2.
Despite a competitive first set, Penn State struggled to contain Long Beach State’s potent offense and a barrage of service aces. The Beach’s dominant performance highlighted the challenges facing the Nittany Lions as they continue their West Coast road trip. This match marked the 30th meeting between the two programs, with Long Beach State now holding a 21-8 advantage in the series, according to Penn State Athletics.
The first set was a back-and-forth affair, featuring 11 ties and four lead changes. Penn State initially took the lead with a kill from Matthew Luoma, but Long Beach State quickly responded. Owen Rose contributed key blocks, helping Penn State briefly regain the advantage at 14-13. However, Long Beach State closed out the set with a 26-24 victory, fueled by kills from Skyler Varga and Alex Kandev.
Long Beach State took control in the second set, capitalizing on Penn State errors and a strong serving performance. A 6-0 scoring run, powered by Braedon Marquardt’s serving and Connor Bloom’s presence at the net, extended their lead significantly. The Beach ultimately won the second set 25-18.
The third set followed a similar pattern, with Long Beach State establishing an early lead and maintaining momentum throughout. Despite efforts from Penn State, including a solo block by Rose, Long Beach State closed out the match with a 25-19 set win, completing the sweep.
Key Performances
Matthew Luoma and Sean Harvey led Penn State with seven kills apiece, while Luoma also recorded nine digs. Owen Rose was a defensive standout for the Nittany Lions, finishing with six total blocks. For Long Beach State, Skyler Varga led all players with 11 kills and six total blocks. Alex Kandev also contributed significantly with multiple kills and service aces.
Service Ace Disparity
A crucial factor in Long Beach State’s victory was their dominance in serving. The Beach recorded 13 service aces throughout the match, while Penn State managed only one. This disparity in serve receive proved to be a significant advantage for Long Beach State, disrupting Penn State’s offensive rhythm.
Setter Experimentation
Penn State Coach Pavlik appeared to be experimenting with his setter rotation, utilizing both Jaxon Herr and Michael Schwob during the match. While Herr has typically been the starting setter, Schwob saw playing time against Long Beach State, as noted by Onward State.
What’s Next
The Nittany Lions will continue their West Coast trip with a match against No. 7 Pepperdine on Wednesday, March 11, at 9 p.m. In Malibu, California. The match will be streamed on Big Ten Plus. Penn State will look to rebound from this defeat and regain their momentum as they navigate a challenging schedule against top-ranked opponents.
What are your thoughts on Penn State’s performance? Share your comments below and join the discussion!
