Men’s Volleyball: Vikings wrap up WSC title with sweep at Pierce, begin state championship run Wednesday

The Long Beach City College men's volleyball team captured its seventh Western State Conference championship in eight years thanks to its regular-season ending sweep at Los Angeles Pierce College on Friday.

Long Beach took the match by scores of 25-16, 25-16, and 25-23 to close out the conference schedule with a 13-4 overall record and 8-2 mark in WSC play.

Sophomore middle blocker Kris Johnson (Lakewood HS) and freshman outside hitter Max Wechsung (St. John Bosco HS) both totaled 11 kills and three blocks to lead the Vikings in the win. Freshman libero Dylan Marquess (Poly HS) had 15 digs and sophomore setter Chris Austin (Henderson, NV) posted 40 assists.

With the conference title, the Vikings receive a first-round playoff bye. Long Beach, the No. 1 seed from the WSC, will begin its state title run on Wednesday (Apr 20) as it will face the winner of Grossmont College (PCAC #2) and El Camino College (WSC #3) in the CCCAA Men's Volleyball State Championship semifinals at 5:30 p.m. at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa.

PCAC champion Orange Coast will face the winner of Santa Barbara City College (WSC #2) and Irvine Valley College (PCAC #3) in the other semifinal match at 8 p.m.

State quarterfinal matches are set for Monday (Apr 18) at the site of the higher seed. The Santa Barbara quarterfinal is schedule for 6 p.m., with the Grossmont quarterfinal set for 7 p.m.

LBCC head coach Randy Totorp looks to capture his fourth state championship after winning titles in 2004, 2006, and 2009. Overall, Long Beach has won seven state titles (1976, 1980, 1982, 1985, 2004, 2006, 2009).

Long Beach will be making its sixth consecutive and seventh trip to the state championships in the past eight years.

Last season, the Vikings suffered a 3-1 loss to host Orange Coast in the state championship semifinals.