The Long Beach City College women’s volleyball team ended last year’s season with an impressive 23-2 record as the team went undefeated at home and advanced to the 3C2A state championship bracket for the first time in over 20 years. LBCC ran into the eventual state champions in the quarterfinals, losing to Feather River 3-1.
The sophomore duo of libero Kaylani Moncada and middle blocker Jubilee Allen were key players for the Vikings’ defensive front last year.
Allen had 50% of LBCC’s total blocks last year, led all 3C2A players in blocks per set while Moncada made the 2024 All-3C2A State Tournament Team and ended the season with a team-high 412 digs.
10 other sophomores, alongside Allen and Moncada, aren’t in this year’s roster; which leaves big shoes to fill for next year’s team.
“We have a lot of moving pieces so we have players that can play multiple positions,” head coach Tyler Jackson said. “A lot of the new players have big shoes and gaps to fill but I can tell that it’s a very locked in, disciplined and consistent group, probably the most consistent group I’ve had at Long Beach City.”
The Vikings have 15 players on this year’s roster, which includes seven new freshmen and six returning players from last year’s team.
“I really love this group because they’re super nice and super talented,” Jackson said. “We’ve been working a lot on the mental side of our game and they’re healthy competitors because once the ball is in the air, they can compete.”
Key returners from last year are opposite hitter/setter Tyreana Allen and setter Camille Agrupis. Last season, Agrupis landed inside the top 100 in 3C2A competition in assists per set and Allen, the Freshman of the Year, was second in the team with assists with 236.
“Camille is a libero/setter so she plays two positions so for her to just have a great season last year, I think that speaks to her talent,” Jackson said. “Tyreana is a player who is honestly the most skilled player in the gym [and] she can play any position.”
The fifth year head coach said the three captains for the team are sophomore Ryleeh Tuaolo, San Marcos bounceback Emeli Muagututi’a and freshman Marissa Krebs.
“I think they’re going to be pretty huge for us this season but them being voted captains, I think everyone is on the same page that they’ll be playing a huge part in our successes here,” Jackson said.
With the pressure of returning back to the 3C2A bracket this season, Jackson said she tries not to compare previous teams.
“If you put too much pressure that we have to be like the team last year and better than the team last year, I think you can kind of get lost in yourself and your identity,” Jackson said. “This team needs to figure out who they are so they can write their own story.”
However, the team uses that pressure as a potential advantage.
“I think pressure is good and I think the players need to embrace and be comfortable with pressure,” Jackson said. “I do feel a lot of teams want to beat us and might have a chip on their shoulder and I think it’s a huge compliment to our program, we have really high standards here just from how we carry ourselves.”
Jackson said she talked with the team about the importance of understanding their roles.
“Just because you don’t start today, doesn’t mean you’re never going to start in the season,” she said. “One of our favorite quotes we have in our team room is ‘don’t aspire to be the best on the team but be the best for the team.’ If your role is to cheer on the sideline, then your role is to be the best cheerleader.”
The Vikings play four Northern teams in the NorCal vs SoCal preseason showcase, which includes a rematch against state champion Feather River on August 29 in Bakersfield.
How does Long Beach City go back to the 3C2A bracket and have similar success this year? Jackson said with competence, confidence, trust, discipline, accountability and consistency.
“They have to buy in, trust the coaches, trust the decisions, trust each other, trust the leadership and trust the captains,” Jackson said.
The Vikings open at home tonight against Mira Costa at 6pm and will return to the Hall of Champions Sep. 5 against Saddleback.
