It’s a new era of volleyball in Long Beach in 2026, with plenty of fresh faces and new coaches ready to make their mark. Long Beach Poly looks to defend its Moore League crown, Wilson aims to reclaim the top spot, and Millikan returns the most experience with championship aspirations.
Check out where every team stands as the Long Beach volleyball season gets underway!
Long Beach Poly
It’d be hard to script a better season for the Long Beach Poly boys’ volleyball team last year under coach Sidney Davidson, which ended as a perfect undefeated Moore League season, the program’s first since 2014. Now, after graduating 11 seniors, the question becomes whether they can sustain that success with a group full of fresh faces.
The Jackrabbits’ only real experience comes at the pins, where junior Nikki Frank will look to provide key leadership after emerging last season. Frank came along nicely last year and had a standout performance in Poly’s playoff win over Windward, finishing with a game-high 17 kills as just a sophomore.
Some of Poly’s biggest holes will be in the middle of the court, where the Jackrabbits are without former star setter Ryder Tuaolo and middle KJ Hill. Sophomore Josiah Hill will be filling the big shoes left by his older brother in the middle, while Davidson describes fellow sophomore Josiah Walton as a talented young setter with plenty of upside.
With a younger, inexperienced roster this season, Davidson said the approach will be simple. He pointed to the fundamentals as the priority, emphasizing passing, ball control and the ability to finish points. He also said it will be important for his team to stay healthy throughout the season.
Poly finished last season with key series sweeps over Millikan and Wilson, which included a five-set match at Millikan in their first matchup. The Jackrabbits earned a win over Windward in the CIF-SS Division 3 bracket before falling to San Marino in the second round.
The Jackrabbits have opened non-league play with a couple of wins, including victories over North Torrance and Carson, and also made an appearance in the Foothill Classic Tournament. Poly will open Moore League play Tuesday at Jordan, with key matches against Wilson (Mar. 19) and Millikan (Mar. 24).
Wilson
It’s safe to say that it’s a completely new era for Wilson volleyball. The Bruins will finally be without former star and UCLA outside hitter Marek Turner, and they’re heading into the season under the leadership of their third head coach in as many years.
This year, Shawn Goodner is taking over the program and is optimistic about a diverse group of returners and newcomers as Wilson looks to put itself back atop the Moore League.
“From day one, our goal has been to raise the standards,” Goodner said of him and his staff. “We are bringing a competitive edge, an aggressive style of play and a culture built on accountability and pride. Wilson volleyball is a program rooted in hard work, playing fearlessly and embracing each moment.”
Returning to setter duties will be junior Mathias Espiritu, who has put in the work this offseason to keep the offense in order. Espiritu will have a couple of reliable targets at the pins, with junior Tobin Hackney poised for a big year. Alongside him, Goodner expects freshman Elias Barth to step up on the outside, believing he can go head to head with anyone despite his youth.
Anchoring the defense on the back row will be junior Blake Hardey, who returns for the Bruins at libero. Wilson will have some big shoes to fill in its middle blocker spots after graduating a few of its top players last year, but sophomore Cooper Campbell will be up for the task in the center of the court.
“We are a younger team compared to our competition, and several athletes have taken major steps in the offseason, preparing themselves physically, mentally and technically,” Goodner said. “When you combine experience with growth and confidence, you start to see breakout performances. This is a team with multiple players capable of stepping up in big moments.”
Goodner emphasized his goal of rebuilding the program at Wilson, where he wants to bring the Bruins back to the top and make Wilson the destination school in Long Beach for volleyball. The Bruins finished second in the Moore League last year but had won the previous four league titles.
Wilson will open its Moore League slate with a home matchup against Cabrillo on Thursday. The Bruins will then have key consecutive matchups against Lakewood (Mar. 12), Millikan (Mar. 17) and Poly (Mar. 19).
Lakewood
With just one senior on the roster, it will be a building year for the Lakewood boys’ volleyball team, but head coach Daniel Lozada sees it as an opportunity to grow with a bright future ahead.
“It’s setting our program up for big success in the next couple years,” Lozada said. “We will have younger players playing older and more experienced competition throughout our season, and we know that we will benefit through both wins, but most importantly the losses.”
Despite the lack of seniors, the Lancers still have a team full of returners, including junior Marcos Chhoeu on the outside, who Lozada says has grown mentally over the last year. Lozada also expects a big year from libero Josh Cabuang, whom he describes as a hustler on and off the court who provides a huge energy spark on defense.
Lozada also listed sophomore Jaidyn Robinson as a key returner at middle blockers along with junior opposite Dereon Groce.
“We are not the tallest or strongest, nor are we as experienced as our league opponents,” Lozada said. “However, [assistant coach] Brian Castro and I have trusted the process and count on our boys to stick to our training protocols and be as confident in ourselves as we can be to execute in our respective positions and roles.”
Lakewood finished third in the Moore League last season with a huge five-set win over Millikan to open league play. This year, the Lancers will open their league slate on Tuesday against Cabrillo, with a rematch with Millikan set for Mar. 10.
Millikan
It’s set to be a new era of volleyball within the Moore League this year, with plenty of young and new faces stepping up across the league. For Millikan, though, it’s nearly the exact same starting roster from last season as the Rams look to lean on their experience against the rest of the league.
“We have talent and size. The thing that will take us from good to great is our attitude and effort,” said Millikan coach Matthew Johnson. “We play together and stay positive about ourselves and each other. We’re playing like we want to be champions and believe we can be. If that desire translates into selfless teamwork, consistent hard work and execution of the skills we know we have, this team will be hard to stop.”
Outside of its libero last year, Millikan will have every starter back on the court. That includes senior middle blocker Evan Crucil-Chambers, along with senior outside hitters Jake Karkanen and Kobe Magdael. The Rams will also have sophomores Andre Medina and Dominic Tirado back at middle blocker and opposite, respectively.
The biggest shift for Millikan comes with its personnel, as Johnson plans to implement a 6-2 after moving former setter Karkanen to the pins. Freshman Alex Orbiso and Noble Pagulayan will take over the setting duties, and Johnson describes both athletes as talented and intelligent decision-makers.
The younger editions on the team will include junior opposite Reed Dunnick, who was at Millikan as a freshman before going on a foreign exchange program last year. Outside Will Cordova could also step up along with defensive specialist Colin Virtue, while Rai Flores will be stepping in at libero.
Additionally, Johnson emphasized that every position will be a competition and mentioned seniors Wes Aguilar and Daniel Grammer, along with junior Seth Un, as strong candidates at their respective positions.
Millikan has started its non-league slate at a red-hot 5-0 and will begin league play at Compton on Tuesday. The Rams will have key matches against Wilson (Mar. 17) and Poly (Mar. 24), and will finish the season with another matchup against Poly on April 22.
“If we play like I know we can, with the attitude and effort I mentioned, I’ll call it a successful season,” Johnson said. “However, it will also result in our first league title in a long while, and CIF success.”
Jordan
Once again, Jordan will have to overcome the challenge of playing without a home gym as the school continues its reconstruction, but the Panthers and head coach Andrew Lane still hope to compete for a playoff spot in a tough Moore League.
Jordan graduated every starter from last year with the exception of senior Maurice Gibbs III, a two-time All-Moore League selection and team leader at outside hitter. Gibbs will be joined on the outside by senior Vatana Puthy, while senior utility player Denis Abaca is also set to return alongside Miguel Gabat at setter.
Juniors Jorge Zepeda and Jacob Peapea have moved up from JV in the middle this year, while Marco Lopez will step in at libero. Senior newcomer Elijah Martinez is expected to contribute across the front row, and sophomores Keyta Leng and Benjamin Ung could also factor into the rotation.
The Panthers opened their non-league slate with a win over Paramount and will begin Moore League action against Poly on Tuesday.
Cabrillo
The Cabrillo boys’ volleyball team is under new leadership this season as Christopher Williams takes over the program. The Jaguars have opened their non-league slate 1-3, most recently earning a sweep over Paramount.
Last year, the Jags finished 2-10 in the Moore League to place sixth. Cabrillo will open its Moore League schedule Tuesday at Lakewood.
Compton
Compton is finally back on its home campus this season and faces key non-league matchups against local opponents in Centennial and Compton Early College. The Tarbabes will open up Moore League play at home when they host Millikan on Tuesday.
St. Anthony
Jeremy Malazarte takes over the St. Anthony boys’ volleyball program, inheriting a team that went a dominant 7-1 to claim the Camino Real League title last season.
St. Anthony returns a solid core from last season and will look to run its offense through senior setter Noah Furlow. His brother, senior outside hitter Jack Furlow, also returns alongside fellow senior pin hitter Austin Luckey.
The Saints also bring back key junior Griffin Bass, a middle whom Malazarte describes as having a dynamic skill set. Junior Ryan De Los Reyes will return at libero, while Devin Durward could also contribute as a newcomer.
St. Anthony opened up non-league play with a local matchup against Millikan before finding a five-set win over California High. The Saints will start league play on Mar. 12 against Bishop Montgomery.
“In my eyes a successful season consists of player growth and development, a strong team culture and chemistry, and to top it off, a mentally tough team,” Malazarte said. “These characteristics in my opinion set the foundation for the program and set them up for success for the years to come regardless of the season outcome.”
