Long Beach State Races to National Championship After Thrilling 3-1 Victory Over Pepperdine
COLUMBUS, Ohio – In a night etched in history, Long Beach State’s freshman sensation Moni Nikolov shattered the NCAA single-season aces record, leading the team to a 3-1 triumph against the fifth-seeded Pepperdine in the National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Semifinal. The match, held at the lively Covelli Center, featured nail-biting moments and electrifying performances that showcased the Beach’s unyielding spirit.
A Historic Performance
With this victory, Long Beach State (29-3) has earned a place in its 11th NCAA National Championship, set for Monday, May 12, at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET. The Beach aims to capture their fourth national title in program history and their third in just seven seasons. Meanwhile, Pepperdine concludes its campaign with a respectable 21-10 overall record.
Nikolov’s Record-Setting Night
Entering the match just three aces shy of tying the NCAA single-season record of 100, Nikolov quickly made his mark. He not only tied the record but obliterated it with back-to-back aces in the third set. The 6-foot-10 setter finished the match with five aces, contributing a staggering 52 assists and 10 digs. Adding to his impressive stat line, he also recorded six kills and a block assist, where his team achieved an incredible .482 hitting percentage.
"RECORD BROKEN! With his 101st ace of the season, Moni Nikolov has set a new NCAA single-season record!"
Tweet from Long Beach State Men’s VB
Dynamic Duo: The Kill Leaders
Long Beach State showcased a well-balanced attack, with three players reaching double figures in kills. Nato Dickinson and Alex Kandev both delivered 19 kills, playing pivotal roles in a match defined by intense competition. Kandev hit an impressive .533 (19-3-30) and added eight digs, while Dickinson recorded a hitting percentage of .485 (19-3-33) to go along with five blocks and four assists. Skyler Varga also shone, notching 11 kills with a solid .381 clip (11-3-21).
A Battle of Giants
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with 37 ties and 14 lead changes across four spirited sets. Both teams maintained attacking efficiency, hitting over .400 as the contest remained intensely competitive throughout.
Set Breakdown
First Set: Pepperdine grabbed the early momentum, forcing Long Beach State to call a timeout at 19-16. A commanding 5-1 run by the Waves led them to clinch the first set 25-20.
- Second Set: The Beach fought back, delivering 19 kills while hitting .412. The tightly contested set saw them finally pull ahead for a 25-23 victory, thanks to a clutch kill from Dickinson.
"Here comes Nato Dickinson!"
Tweet from Long Beach State Men’s VB
Third Set: Long Beach exploded offensively, boasting an astounding .720 hitting percentage (18-0-25). Nikolov’s record-breaking aces helped solidify a 25-19 set win.
- Fourth Set: With both teams firing on all cylinders, Long Beach surged ahead with several pivotal plays, ultimately sealing the match at 25-23 on Dickinson’s 19th kill.
"Long Beach State defeats Pepperdine, 3-1, to head to the NCAA National Championship match!"
Tweet from Long Beach State Men’s VB
Pepperdine’s Strong Finish
On the opposing side, Pepperdine also had notable contributions from Ilay Haver (14 kills), Cole Hartke (13 kills), and Ryan Barnett (13 kills). Setter Gabriel Dyer distributed 48 assists and recovered eight digs, while libero Jacob Reilly led the defense with nine digs and James Eadie added four blocks to his stat line.
What’s Next?
Long Beach State now looks to capitalize on this momentum as they approach the NCAA National Championship—an event every athlete dreams of. If you want to follow their journey to glory, catch the action on NCAA’s official site and support the Beach as they strive for greatness.
With a blend of stellar performances, strategic plays, and unbreakable team spirit, Long Beach State has proven they are ready to take on any challenge. The championship awaits, and the Beach is ready to make waves!
