The Long Beach State men’s volleyball team was selected as the #4 team in the nation to open the 2017 season.
Last season the squad posted a 25-8 record, making it to the NCAA Final Four where the team lost to the runner-ups BYU 3-1. The squad will open up their 2017 campaign with two matches to Manitboa at home on January 4 and 5. MPSF conference play opens up for the Beach at USC on January 11.
The Beach returns 19 players, including five starters, as they are looking to return to the NCAA Championships. Long Beach State will bring in four junior college transfers and will have only one freshman on their roster.
Top Returners
TJ DeFalco, sophomore
- Outside Hitter
- 2016 season awards
- AVCA Newcomer of the Year, MPSF Freshman of the Year, AVCA All-America First Team, All-MPSF First Team, MPSF All-Freshman Team, Off The Block Freshman All-American
- Ranked sixth in the nation with 4.32 kills per set, accumulating 510 kills – the most by a Long Beach State freshman since 1990
- Recorded a team-best 238 digs and 40 service aces
Josh Tuaniga, sophomore
- Setter
- 2016 season awards
- AVCA All-America Second Team, All-MPSF Second Team, MPSF All-Freshman Squad, Off The Block Freshman All-American
- Ranked third in the nation with 11.18 assists per set
- Added 163 digs, 48 blocks and 22 aces
Andrew Sato, senior
- Libero
- 2016 season awards
- AVCA All-America Honorable Mention, All-MPSF Honorable Mention
- Picked up 225 digs, 1.91 digs per set
- Has 725 career digs, ranking seventh in program history
Newcomers
Nick Amado, Junior
- Middle Blocker
- Transfers in from Orange Coast College after two seasons
- Earned first team All-Pacific Coast Conference honors
- Averaged 3.44 kills per set on .457 hitting percentage, also adding 1.44 blocks per set
Jordan Molilna, sophomore
- Libero
- Transfers in from Long Beach City College after one season
- Named CCCAA Men’s Volleyball State Championship MVP
- Averaged 2.48 digs per set
Vincent Pizzuti, sophomore
- Outside Hitter
- Transfers in from Golden West College after one season
- Totaled 247 kills, 144 digs and 26 aces
- Finished season with 11 double-doubles
Andrew TenBrink, junior
- Outside Hitter
- Transfers in from Golden West College after one season
- Averaged 3.24 kills per set and 1..62 digs per set
- Finished season with 15 double-doubles
Kysen Olsen, freshman
- Opposite
- Two-time All-CIF, First Team All-County
Who they lost
The Beach lost six seniors – John La Rusch, Dan Glamack, Edgar Palos, Taylor Gregory, Cody Martin and John Henry.
Taylor Gregory
- Recorded 207 kills on the season with a .506 hitting percentage
- Added 99 blocks for 0.87 blocks per set
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