Top-Ranked Long Beach State Faces No. 4 Hawaii in Key Matchup

HONOLULU, Hawaii — The top-ranked Long Beach State men’s volleyball team is set to clash with the No. 4 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors for two crucial matches this weekend at the SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. With both teams holding identical 5-1 records in the Big West Conference, the stakes are high as a series sweep could secure sole possession of first place heading into the final weekend of the regular season.

The matches are scheduled for Friday, April 7, and Saturday, April 8, with both starting at 7 p.m. PT (10 p.m. HT). Spectrum Sports will broadcast the games in Hawaii, while ESPN+ will carry the live feed on the mainland. Fans can also access live stats via StatBroadcast.com as the action unfolds.

“These are important matches,” said Hawaii’s head coach Charlie Wade. “Two of the best teams will be playing each other; there’s always something at stake when we meet. Everyone has been looking forward to it, and we’re excited to compete.”

Long Beach State enters the weekend with a 27-3 overall record and is currently enjoying an 11-week streak at the top of the AVCA National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Poll, standing with 460 total points and all 23 first-place votes. The Beach are fresh off a successful 2024 season, having claimed the Big West regular season title and finishing as National Runner Up.

Head coach Alan Knipe, in his 22nd season with the program, leads a seasoned team that includes standout players like senior outside hitter Alex Siapanis and junior opposite Lukas Varga, both of whom have been honored as AVCA All-Americans in the past season. Siapanis earned First Team accolades, while Varga received Honorable Mention recognition.

This weekend’s series marks the 100th meeting between the two programs, with Long Beach State leading the all-time series 52-47. However, Hawaii holds a 27-18 edge when the matches are played on its home court.

Hawaii, with a 22-3 overall record this season, showcases a formidable squad featuring Kristian Titriyski, who leads his team with an impressive average of 4.24 kills per set. The Rainbow Warriors also boast strong defensive capabilities, averaging 7.87 digs and 2.39 blocks per set.

“Our players are ready, and they feel the energy from the fan base,” coach Wade noted, expressing confidence in his team ahead of the high-stakes matchup. “It’s a great atmosphere that adds to the competition.”

As the festivities unfold this weekend, fans can anticipate a charged atmosphere at the sold-out arena, an event marking Hawaii’s first back-to-back sellouts since 1996.

Both teams are eager to solidify their standings within the competitive Big West Conference, and the outcomes of these matches will play a significant role in determining the trajectory of the remainder of the season.