From LBCC’s Chris Ruiz

The Long Beach City College men’s volleyball team secured the Western State Conference championship outright with its three-game sweep of rival Los Angeles Pierce College on Wednesday night at LBCC.  The win improved Long Beach to 15-1 overall and 9-0 in conference play. The Vikings will close out the conference schedule at Santa Monica College on Friday (Apr 10) before turning their attention to the state championship tournament on April 23 and 25 in Irvine.

Long Beach won tonight’s match over Pierce (10-6, 3-6 WSC) by scores of 30-22, 30-28, and 30-25. It was the Vikings’ 13th sweep in 15 wins this season. In 52 games, LBCC has lost just five.  Freshman middle blocker Fidelix Ojo posted 10 kills and six blocks while freshman outside hitter Devon Taylor had 10 kills and six digs.

In just two games, sophomore outside hitter Brandon Anaya posted nine kills, three digs, and two blocks. Sophomore setter Andrew Marques totaled 36 assists and added four blocks.  For head coach Randy Totorp, it is his fifth conference title (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009) in six seasons at LBCC. Long Beach has now won 19 conference championships since 1975.

With the WSC championship, Long Beach automatically qualifies for the California Community College Athletic Association Men’s Volleyball Championships semifinals at Irvine Valley College.

Long Beach has won five state titles overall including two by Totorp (2004, 2006). Last season, LBCC advanced to the state championship semifinals, but lost to eventual state champion Irvine Valley College.