Monday, May 12
4 pm PT (7 pm ET)
UCLA
22-7,10-2MPSF
0
vs
3
#1 Long Beach State
30-3,8-2Big West
1
2
3
F
UCLA
17
23
21
0
Long Beach St.
25
25
25
3
Photo by: Walt Middleton
UCLA Falls in NCAA Title Match to Long Beach State
May 12, 2025 | Men's Volleyball
COLUMBUS, Ohio – No. 3 UCLA's bid for a national championship fell short Monday evening as Long Beach State won in straight sets in the NCAA title match at Ohio State's Covelli Center. Set scores on Monday evening were 25-17, 25-23, and 25-21.
The Bruins (22-7) reached the NCAA Championship match for the third consecutive season. UCLA also concludes the season as MPSF champions for the third straight year.
Cooper Robinson led UCLA with 10 kills while hitting .381, and Zach Rama added eight kills and five blocks to finish with a team-high 10.5 points
Andrew Rowan directed the Bruins' offense with 26 assists and played a part in all but three of the team's kills.
Long Beach State was extremely efficient on the attacking end, hitting a blistering .354 on the night. Alex Kandev paced all attackers with 13 kills on a hitting percentage of .450.
Sean McQuiggan and Cameron Thorne contributed four kills each.
It was a back-and-forth affair in the early stages of the opening set until Long Beach State unleashed a quick 3-0 burst for an 11-7 edge. This allowed Long Beach State to build some momentum and eventually take the first frame, 25-17.
UCLA seized control early in the second behind kills from Robinson and McQuiggan's, eventually building its largest lead at 18-13 after David Ido's service ace. However, the Beach responded with a fierce rally, winning seven of nine points to draw even at 20-20. The teams traded blows late before Long Beach State prevailed, 25-23.
The third set stayed close until the Beach created separation at 16-11. UCLA mounted one final charge behind Rama's consecutive kills to pull within one, but Long Beach State withstood the pressure, closing out the match and the national title with a 25-21 victory.
The Bruins (22-7) reached the NCAA Championship match for the third consecutive season. UCLA also concludes the season as MPSF champions for the third straight year.
Cooper Robinson led UCLA with 10 kills while hitting .381, and Zach Rama added eight kills and five blocks to finish with a team-high 10.5 points
Andrew Rowan directed the Bruins' offense with 26 assists and played a part in all but three of the team's kills.
Long Beach State was extremely efficient on the attacking end, hitting a blistering .354 on the night. Alex Kandev paced all attackers with 13 kills on a hitting percentage of .450.
Sean McQuiggan and Cameron Thorne contributed four kills each.
It was a back-and-forth affair in the early stages of the opening set until Long Beach State unleashed a quick 3-0 burst for an 11-7 edge. This allowed Long Beach State to build some momentum and eventually take the first frame, 25-17.
UCLA seized control early in the second behind kills from Robinson and McQuiggan's, eventually building its largest lead at 18-13 after David Ido's service ace. However, the Beach responded with a fierce rally, winning seven of nine points to draw even at 20-20. The teams traded blows late before Long Beach State prevailed, 25-23.
The third set stayed close until the Beach created separation at 16-11. UCLA mounted one final charge behind Rama's consecutive kills to pull within one, but Long Beach State withstood the pressure, closing out the match and the national title with a 25-21 victory.
Team Stats
UCLA
LBSU
Kills
29
37
Errors
15
14
Attempts
73
65
Hitting %
.192
.354
Points
40.0
51.5
Assists
29
34
Aces
3
5
Blocks
8
9.5
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
4
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
4
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Men's VolleyballOH
/ Men's VolleyballS
/ Men's VolleyballMB
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