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Volleyball fans are in for a treat this weekend as Long Beach State hosts Hawaii in a battle of the top two NCAA men’s volleyball teams in the country, with both Friday and Saturday matches slated for a 7pm start in the Walter Pyramid.
“It’s always two good teams and we’ve played in a lot of fun matches the last several years,” said LBSu coach Alan Knipe. “There’s always excitement when we play here or the same over there.”
It could be the first meeting of several this year for the Beach and the Warriors, who certainly could face off in the Big West Tournament in Hawaii, and who could see each other again in the Pyramid in May for the NCAA Tournament.
The Warriors are ranked No. 1 in the nation with a 17-1 record and receiving 15 first-place votes, while the Beach are No. 2 and receiving eight first-place votes, with a 16-1 record.
Knipe has seen his team make big strides this season, but feels they aren’t done yet.
“I think there’s been a lot of growth and a lot of good, and it continues to get better,” he said, pointing out that three starters missed the Fall and then the Beach re-arranged the front of the net, with Clarke Godbold moving outside and Skyler Varga moving to opposite.
“There’s so much room for growth with this team week to week,” said Knipe. “The exciting part is them coming into the gym Monday and Tuesday really eager to get better.”
Unfortunately for volleyball fans, it was announced that star Hawaii player Spyros Chakas will miss the rest of the season with a gruesome knee injury sustained during the Warriors’ win over UC Irvine last weekend.
“That’s awful news, he’s a tremendous player and he’s been amazing for them in big matches,” said Knipe. “I don’t know him personally but he seems to be nothing but an amazing person for them.”
We’ll have live updates and full coverage from both matches.
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