Long Beach State Beach men's volleyball

Long Beach State Beach men's volleyball team
UniversityLong Beach State University
Head coachNick MacRae (1st season)
ConferenceBig West
LocationLong Beach, California, US
Home arenaLBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid (capacity: 4,200[1])
NicknameThe Beach
ColorsBlack and Gold
   
NCAA tournament champion
1991, 2018, 2019, 2025
NCAA tournament runner-up
1970, 1973, 1990, 1999, 2004, 2022, 2024
NCAA tournament semifinal
1970, 1973, 1990, 1991, 1999, 2004, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
NCAA tournament appearance
1970, 1973, 1990, 1991, 1999, 2004, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Conference tournament champion
SCIVA: 1973 WIVA: 1990, 1991 MPSF: 2017
Big West: 2018, 2024
Conference regular season champion
SCIVA: 1973
WIVA: 1990, 1992
MPSF: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2008, 2017
Big West: 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023*, 2024, 2025
* Co-Champion

The Long Beach State Beach men's volleyball team team is the NCAA Division I men's volleyball team for Long Beach State University.

Program record

Year Head Coach Overall
record 		Conference
record 		Conference
standing 		Postseason
(SCIVA) (1970–1978)
1970 Randy Sandefur 6–4 3–2 3rd NCAA Runner-up
1971 Randy Sandefur 5–4 2–3 4th NCAA Regionals
1972 Randy Sandefur 6–8 2–4 5th NCAA Regionals
1973 Ray Sandefur 15–3 9–2 1st NCAA Runner-up
1974 Randy Sandefur 3–10 3–10 6th
1975 Miles Pabst 2–10 2–10 6th
1976 Miles Pabst 5–7 5–7 5th
1977 Dick Montgomery 4–10 4–10 6th
1978 Dick Montgomery 13–6 9–5 4th NCAA Regionals
(CIVA) (1979–1985)
1979 Dick Montgomery 14–9 9–9 6th
1980 Dick Montgomery 21–7 13–5 4th
1981 Don Paris 15–13 9–7 4th NCAA Regionals
1982 Ray Ratelle 15–15 4–12 7th NCAA Regionals
1983 Ray Ratelle 20–9 11–5 2nd NCAA Regionals
1984 Ray Ratelle 15–10 10–8 5th NCAA Regionals
1985 Ray Ratelle 14–19 3–15 9th
(WIVA) (1986–1992)
1986 Ray Ratelle 19–15 7–13 7th
1987 Ray Ratelle 18–15 5–13 7th
1988 Ray Ratelle 20–14 8–10 6th
1989 Ray Ratelle 22–9 12–8 6th
1990 Ray Ratelle 28–7 14–2 1st NCAA Runner-up
1991 Ray Ratelle 31–4 14–2 2nd NCAA Champion
1992 Ray Ratelle 27–4 15–1 1st
(MPSF) (1993–2017)
1993 Ray Ratelle 18–13 12–7 2nd
1994 Ray Ratelle 13–15 7–12 5th
1995 Ray Ratelle 18–9 12–7 3rd
1996 Ray Ratelle 21–6 15–4 2nd
1997 Ray Ratelle 19–10 12–7 2nd
1998 Ray Ratelle 22–7 13–6 2nd
1999 Ray Ratelle 22–4 17–2 1st NCAA Runner-up
2000 Ray Ratelle 23–5 16–3 1st
2001 Alan Knipe 18–7 12–5 1st
2002 Alan Knipe 13–18 9–13 7th
2003 Alan Knipe 17–13 11–11 8th
2004 Alan Knipe 28–7 18–4 2nd NCAA Runner-up
2005 Alan Knipe 22–10 14–8 5th
2006 Alan Knipe 22–10 14–8 4th
2007 Alan Knipe 11–17 6–16 10th
2008 Alan Knipe 23–7 18–4 1st NCAA Semifinals
2009 Alan Knipe 14–14 11–11 7th
2010 Andy Read † 12–17 8–14 10th
2011 Andy Read † 15–14 12–10 6th
2012 Andy Read † 15–15 10–12 6th
2013 Alan Knipe 24–8 18–6 T-2nd
2014 Alan Knipe 18–10 15–9 T-4th
2015 Alan Knipe 15–13 11–11 7th
2016 Alan Knipe 25–8 17–5 T-2nd NCAA Semifinals
2017 Alan Knipe 24–7 16–2 1st NCAA Semifinals
(Big West) (2018–present)
2018 Alan Knipe 28–1 9–1 1st NCAA Champions
2019 Alan Knipe 28–2 10–0 1st NCAA Champions
2020 Alan Knipe 10–1 COVID – –
2021 Alan Knipe 7–5 6–4 3rd
2022 Alan Knipe 21–6 8–2 1st NCAA Runner-up
2023 Alan Knipe 20–4 9–1 T-1st NCAA Semifinals
2024 Alan Knipe 27–3 9–1 1st NCAA Runner-up
2025 Alan Knipe 30–3 8–2 1st NCAA Champions
2026 Nick MacRae 8–0 — — —
Total: 887–476 (.651) 513–354 (.592)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

History

Head coaches

  • 1970–1974: Randy Sandefur
  • 1975–1976: Miles Pabst
  • 1977–1980: Dick Montgomery
  • 1981: Don Paris
  • 1982–2000: Ray Ratelle
Ray Ratelle was the Head Coach for 19 seasons with an overall win–loss record of 385-190 (.670) and conference record of 207-137 (.602), with 3 Conference titles and 3 NCAA appearances. 1990 NCAA Finalist and in his tenth year, won the first ever Men's NCAA Championship team title of any sport in Long Beach State's history of athletics. Ratelle was also named Coach of the Year in both 1990 and 1991.
  • 2001–2009: Alan Knipe
  • 2010–2012: Andy Read †
  • 2013–2025: Alan Knipe
Alan Knipe's win–loss record as of the 2025 regular season stands at 446–171 (.723). Knipe has been to the Semifinals twice as a player (1990, 1991) and ten as Head Coach (2004, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025). He was a member of Long Beach's 1991 NCAA Men's Volleyball National Championship Team; he has coached the Beach to three NCAA Championships (2018, 2019 and 2025). He was the Head Coach of the U.S. Men's National Team (2009 - 2012) and he returned to LBSU upon completing his service.
Under Knipe, Scott Touzinsky was a Long Beach State assistant coach.[2] Touzinsky was suspended by USA Volleyball in July 2018 because of a pending investigations by the United States Center for SafeSport.[3][2][4] Since the NCAA doesn’t fall under SafeSport jurisdiction, Touzinsky wasn’t prohibited from coaching in college.[2][5] The complaint against Touzinsky related to when Touzinsky was a player on the USA National Team.[2] Touzinsky left the program in April 2019 after it was revealed he was sanctioned by the SafeSport following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.[6]
  • 2026: Nick MacRae

† Interim Head Coach

Conference

  • 1970–1978: SCIVA
    • Overall Record (incomplete): 50–56 (.472)
  • 1979–1985: CIVA
    • Overall Record: 114–82 (.582)
  • 1986–1992: WIVA
    • Overall Record: 165–68 (.708)
  • 1993–2017: Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF)
    • Overall Record: 341–199 (.631)
  • 2018–present: Big West Conference
    • Overall Record: 59–11 (.843)

Home court

The volleyball team played in the Goldmine gymnasium at CSULB until 1994. Since November 30, 1994, the team has played at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid. The 18-story tall complex has played host four times to the NCAA Men's Volleyball Championships (2001, 2003, 2019, 2024). Its infrastructure utilizes 18,000 steel tubes and connection modules. It cost approximately $22 million to build.

National championships

1991: First NCAA title by defeating USC 3–1 at Neal S. Blaisell Center in Honolulu, HI (Hosted by Hawai'i). Long Beach defeated Penn State 3–0 in the semi-finals.

  • With an overall record of 31–4 (.886) and won the WIVA Conference Tournament Championship. The team included First Team All-American (Brent Hilliard, Brett Winslow) Second Team All-American (Alan Knipe). NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team (Brent Hilliard, Brett Winslow, Alan Knipe, Jason Stimpfig, Matt Lyles). NCAA Championship Tournament MVP (Brent Hilliard). Ray Ratelel was named VollyeBall Magazine & AVCA Coach of the Year.


2018: Second NCAA title by defeating UCLA 3–2 at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, CA (Hosted by UCLA). They defeated Ohio State University 3–1 in the semi-finals.

  • With two AVCA National Players of the Year, Josh Tunaniga (2018) and TJ DeFalco (2017), eight thousand spectators were treated to a thrilling five-set match. The team finished with an overall record of 28–1 (.966) and won the Big West Regular Season and Big West Tournament Championships. First Team All-American (TJ DeFalco, Kyle Ending, Josh Tuaniga), Second Team All-American (Nick Amado), Honorable Mention All-American (Simon Anderson). NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team (TJ DeFalco, Kyle Ensing, Josh Tuaniga), NCAA Championship Tournament MVP (Josh Tuaniga). Alan Knipe also was named the AVCA & Big West Coach of the Year.


2019: Third NCAA title by defeating Hawaii 3–1 at the Walter Pryamid in Long Beach, CA (Hosted by Long Beach State). Long Beach defeated Pepperdine University 3–1 in the semi-finals.

  • For the first time in school history winning back-to-back National Championships. The team finished with an overall record of 28–2 (.933) and won the Big West Regular Season Championship. The team included AVCA Player of they Year (TJ DeFalco). First Team All-American (TJ DeFalco, Kyle Ending, Josh Tuaniga). Second Team All-American (Nick Amado). NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team (TJ DeFalco, Nick Amado, Simon Anderson, Josh Tuaniga), NCAA Championship Tournament MVP (TJ DeFalco). Alan Knipe was named the Big West Coach of the Year.


2025: Fourth NCAA title by defeating UCLA 3–0 at the Covelli Center in Columbus, Ohio (Hosted by Ohio State). Long Beach State defeated Pepperdine University 3–1 in the semi-finals.

  • The team finished with an overall record of 30–3 (.909), winning the Big West Regular Season Championshiop. The team included AVCA Player of they Year (Moni Nikolov). First Team All-American (Moni Nikolov, Skylar Varga). Second Team All-American (DiAeris McRaven). Honorable Mention All-American (Daniil Hershtynovich, Kellen Larson). NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team (Moni Nikolov, Skylar Varga, Alex Kandev), NCAA Championship Tournament MVP (Moni Nikolov).

Notable players

Alumni

  • Bob Ctvrtlik (1983) – All-American Honorable Mention 1983, U.S. National Team Member (1985-1996). Olympian in 1988, 1992, 1996. 1988 Olympic Gold Medalist. 1992 Olympic Bronze Medalist. FIVB Best Player in the World 1995.
  • Brett Winslow (1988-1991) – NCAA Champion 1991. 2x First Team All-American 1990, 1991. NCAA All-Tournament Team 1991. U.S. National Team Member (1992-1999). 1996 U.S. Olympian. Winslow's #15 jersey is retired and hanging in the Walter Pyramid.
  • Alan Knipe (1990-1992) – 2x All-American (First Team 1992, Second Team 1991). 3x AVCA Coach of the Year (2004, 2017, 2018); U.S. National Team Coach (2009-2012), 2x MPSF Coach of the Year (2008, 2017), 3x Big West Coach of the Year (2018, 2019, 2024). 4x NCAA Champion, as a player in 1991 and as Head Coach in 2018, 2019 and 2025.
  • Brent Hilliard (1990-1993) – AVCA National Player of the Year 1992. NCAA Champion 1991. 4x All-American (First Team 1991,1992,1993; Honorable Mention 1990). NCAA All-Tournament Team 1990,1991. NCAA Tournament MVP 1991. All First Team MPSF 15th Year Anniversary Team. U.S. National Team Member (1991-1995). 1992 Olympic Bronze Medalist. Hilliard's #7 jersey is retired and hanging in the Walter Pyramid.
  • Tom Hoff (1994-1996) – 2x First Team All-American 1995, 1996. 3x U.S. Olympian (2000, 2004, 2008). 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist. All Second-Team MPSF 15th Year Anniversary Team. NCAA triple-doubles leader (K-B-D). Hoff's #9 jersey is retired and hanging in the Walter Pyramid.
  • David Lee (2001-2004) – First Team All-American 2004. U.S. National Team Member (2003-2016). Olympian in 2008, 2012, 2016. 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist.
  • Scott Touzinsky (2001-2004) – MPSF Co-Freshman of the Year 2001, First Team All-American 2004, NCAA All-Tournament Team 2004, U.S. National Team Member (2007-2018). 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist.
  • Paul Lotman (2005-2008) – First Team All-American & AVCA Co-National Player of the Year 2008. U.S. National Team Member (2008-2016). Olympian in 2012. Current member of the AVP Tour.
  • Taylor Crabb (2011-2014) – AVCA Player of the Year 2013. 3x All-American (First Team 2013, 2014; Third Team 2012). Olympian in 2020 in Beach Volleyball. Current member of AVP Tour.
  • Kyle Ensing (2016-2019) – 2x NCAA Champion 2018, 2019. 3x All-American (First Team 2018, 2019; Second Team 2017). Big West Player of the Year 2019. NCAA All-Tournament Team 2018. U.S. National Team Member (2019-Present). Olympian in 2020 and as an alternate in 2024.
  • Josh Tuaniga (2016-2019) – 2x NCAA Champion 2018, 2019. AVCA Player of the Year 2018. 4x All-American (First Team 2017, 2018, 2019; Second Team 2016). NCAA Tournament MVP 2018. 2x NCAA All-Tournament Team 2018, 2019. U.S. National Team Member (2019-Present). Named an alternate for Olympics in 2020.
  • TJ DeFalco (2016-2019) – 2x NCAA Champion 2018, 2019. 2x AVCA Player of the Year 2017, 2019. 4x First Team All-American (2016-2019). NCAA Tournament MVP 2019. 3x NCAA All-Tournament Team (2016, 2018, 2019). U.S. National Team member (2019-Present). Olympian in 2020 and bronze medalist in 2024.
  • Aleksander Nikolov (2022) – First ever men's true freshman to be named AVCA Player of the Year 2022. First Team All-American 2022. NCAA All-Tournament Team 2022. Bulgarian National Team Member (2022-Present).
  • Moni Nikolov (2025) – NCAA Champion 2025. Second ever men's true freshman to be named AVCA Player of the Year 2025, following his older brother's foot steps. First Team All-American 2025. NCAA Tournament MVP 2025. NCAA All-Tournament Team 2025. He set the NCAA single-season record with 106 service aces. Bulgarian National Team Member (2023-Present).

References

allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Beach_State_49ers_men%27s_volleyball