The562’s coverage of Long Beach State athletics for the 2025-26 season is sponsored by Marilyn Bohl.
The Long Beach State men’s volleyball team likes to approach their back-to-back games like two halves of the same contest. The goal is to outperform and get better the next day regardless of how the first night goes.
The Beach couldn’t have responded much better on Saturday after rallying to defeat Cal State Northridge in a five-set thriller on Friday night. From the opening set LBSU proved why they are the reigning champs and it started with the return of Daniil Hershtynovich who shook off some rust after returning to the court after two weeks.
Hershtynovich tied for a game-high 11 kills and three aces as the No. 3-ranked Beach swept No. 18 Cal State Northridge, 25-21, 25-16, 25-14 at LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid.
“We had a halftime response coming into tonight back at home,” Long Beach State coach Nick McRae said. “You saw us execute at a very high level. After week one of Big West play, we had a great locker room conversation about needing to raise our training level and we did that this week. We had a great week in the gym.”
While Hershtynovich made his return to the court this week, he wasn’t the one Beach athlete to make his return as Ben Braun also returned to the CSUN series after being out nearly three weeks.
The duo made an immediate impact as they both got kills as LBSU (16-4, 2-2) took an early 5-1 lead. However, the Matadors battled back behind the arm of Jalen Phillips who had seven kills in the opening set and cut the Beach’s lead to 19-17 late. But, the Beach held on as they took the first set 25-21.
With four blocks in the contest Skyler Varga joined a small group of Long Beach State athletes to reach the 750 kills, 300 digs and 200 blocks milestone.
“I did not know that,” Varga said of joining that exclusive club. “That’s pretty sweet. It’s a good feeling, but in the grand scheme of things, that’s not something I’m really focused on. There are bigger goals for the end of the year and finishing strong in my last season. It’s great hearing that but there are more important things for the team.”
After the first set battle, the Beach really got things going as they had a 93 percent sideout percentage as they stayed in system and made the most of their swings as six guys had a .550 hitting percentage or better.
However, in the second set, the Beach was dealt a scare when Jake Pazanti had to go to the bench with an upper arm injury. With Pazanti on the bench, senior Island Doty took over the setting duties and he didn’t miss a beat finishing with 18 assists.
“I thought he did great,” Kandev said of Doty’s performance. “Jake coming out didn’t really change anything for us. We kept playing the same volleyball. I’m really proud of him because he stayed prepared for his moment and showed what he can do.”
Doty continued to keep the Long Beach offense churning in the final set as they finished off the sweep defeating CSUN, 25-14.
“We’re trying to get as many wins as we can,” MacRae said of picking up the wins after the Hawai’i losses. “That’s the primary objective. We’re 16-4 now. You learn just as much from the wins as losses. We’ll keep our foot on the pedal.”
Long Beach will take on UC San Diego next week on Friday and Saturday.
Long Beach Poly alum Malcolm King Gets Start
Long Beach had one of their own return to the city as Malcolm King was with CSUN in the Pyramid and it was a meaningful one for the senior who was able to start for the first time when playing on the road against the Beach.
“It was awesome and really energizing to say the least,” King said. “Just being back home and back in the LBC. Coming into the Pyramid is a little daunting as far as volleyball venues go, but overall I was excited to be out here playing in Long Beach. This was my first time in four years being able to start a match and play most of it here so it was an awesome opportunity.”
King said it was really nostalgic being in back in his hometown and it brought back a lot of good memories.
“All my volleyball roots are here,” King said. “Long Beach, but especially 7th Street Park. I learned a lot there, playing street ball and picking up little things along the way. Being here feels really special. It’s a great place to be. It feels very nostalgic.”
