News Summary
Long Beach State (LBSU) clinched their fourth NCAA men’s volleyball championship by defeating UCLA 3-0 at the Covelli Center in Columbus, Ohio. Freshman Moni Nikolov was instrumental in the victory, earning tournament MVP honors with six kills, four aces, and 27 assists. LBSU showcased their dominance in the tournament by only dropping one set and setting the NCAA single-season record for aces. This victory marks a significant milestone for LBSU, as they secure their first title since 2019.
Columbus, Ohio – Long Beach State (LBSU) has triumphed in the NCAA men’s volleyball tournament, defeating UCLA with a score of 25-17, 25-23, 25-21. The championship match took place at Ohio State’s Covelli Center on May 12, 2025, marking a significant achievement for the LBSU program as they claimed their fourth national title and their first since 2019.
This victory adds to LBSU’s previous championships, which were won in 1991, 2018, and 2019. The win solidifies the team’s excellence in men’s volleyball, especially considering their performance throughout the tournament, where they only dropped one set while defeating Fort Valley State and Pepperdine in earlier rounds.
Freshman Moni Nikolov played a pivotal role in this championship match, showcasing his athleticism and skill. The 18-year-old, who stands at 6 feet 10 inches tall, recorded six kills, four aces, two blocks, and 27 assists, earning the title of tournament MVP. His contributions were vital in leading Long Beach State to victory against a formidable opponent.
Alongside Nikolov, Alex Kandev added 13 kills and four blocks while maintaining a hitting percentage of .450. Nato Dickinson also contributed significantly with seven kills at a .417 hitting percentage. The team demonstrated impressive serving abilities, recording five aces in the match, which tied the NCAA single-season record for aces (237) in the rally-scoring era. Additionally, LBSU outperformed UCLA in hitting efficiency, finishing the match with a hitting percentage of .354 compared to UCLA’s .192.
UCLA entered the match as the two-time defending champion, looking to achieve a historic three-peat after winning four consecutive titles from 1981 to 1984. Despite their strong aspirations, the Bruins struggled against Long Beach’s well-rounded play and strategic execution.
The championship battle marked the third meeting between Long Beach State and UCLA during the season, with LBSU having won all three encounters. Earlier in the tournament, LBSU had a dominating performance, having previously recorded a 20-match winning streak and earning the No. 1 ranking for the past 14 weeks. Although they faced setbacks with two losses to Hawaii prior to the tournament, LBSU’s resilience shone through in the NCAA championship.
The match unfolded with a competitive first set, where LBSU surged ahead with a decisive 3-0 run to establish an 11-7 lead, ultimately taking the set at 25-17 after hitting an impressive .688. The second set saw UCLA initially leading 18-13, but LBSU rallied back to clinch the set with a 24-22 finish. In the third set, LBSU maintained their momentum, creating a 16-11 lead before Nikolov’s final kill secured the championship for the team and triggered celebrations among players and fans alike.
The next NCAA Tournament is slated to take place at UCLA, promising an exciting prospect for teams and supporters in the coming year. Long Beach State’s victory not only marks an important chapter in their athletics history but also sets a high benchmark for future competitions in men’s volleyball.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- UCLA Athletics
- Wikipedia: 2025 NCAA Men’s Volleyball Tournament
- Daily Bruin
- Google Search: NCAA men’s volleyball UCLA Long Beach State
- ESPN
- Google Scholar: Long Beach State UCLA men’s volleyball
- Spectrum Local News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NCAA men’s volleyball
- Press-Telegram
- Google News: Long Beach State NCAA title 2025
