LONG BEACH, Calif. – For the second straight night, the King University men's volleyball team took on the top-ranked team in the country, Long Beach State University. The Tornado fell again in three sets, but all there were close.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: #1 Long Beach State 3, King 0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-14)
LOCATION: Walter Pyramid; Long Beach, Calif.
RECORDS: King 0-7; Long Beach State 9-0
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Set
- King got off to a solid start on a Warren Davis kill and block from Bryce Pickett and Kellan Kennedy.
- However, Long Beach State scored three straight points to take a 4-2 lead.
- The Tornado stayed close until another 3-0 spurt gave Long Beach State a 10-6 lead.
- King hung around until a late 4-0 run put the set out of reach as Long Beach State took the set 25-17.
Second Set
- Consecutive kills from Mason Martindale gave King an early 3-1 lead as the Tornado held the advantage early.
- The Tornado later scored three straight points, two on kills from Martindale to take a 12-11 lead.
- However, Long Beach State responded with three straight points to regain the lead.
- King tried to fight back, getting back within one point on numerous occasions, but Long Beach State scored the final three points to take the set 25-20.
Third Set
- Long Beach State used three straight points to break a 5-5 tie and grab the advantage early in the set.
- The Tornado stayed close until another 3-0 spurt put Long Beach State ahead 14-9.
- Long Beach State put the set out of reach with a 6-0 run as they took the set 25-14 and the match 3-0.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Martindale and Davis led King with 10 kills apiece.
- Andrew Haber handed out 23 assists and added five digs.
- Kennedy led the way with two blocks.
FOR THE FOES
- Sotiris Siapanis led the way with 10 kills, six blocks and six digs.
- Sebastiano Sani added eight kills, five digs and three blocks.
- Aidan Knipe handed out 22 assists.
UP NEXT
- King opens Conference Carolinas play on Friday night at home against the University of Mount Olive at 7:00 p.m.
- Long Beach State hosts UCLA on Friday night.
