McMaster men’s volleyball prepares to face Long Beach State University in final games of North America Challenge

HAMILTON, Ont. – Early January usually means a break on the OUA men’s volleyball schedule but, for the McMaster Marauders, it means something different – an opportunity to start the 2023 season in the win column against one of the best men’s volleyball programs in the NCAA – the Long Beach State University Beach. The Marauders will open the new calendar year on the court in Burridge Gymnasium for two non-conference contests with LBSU. Single game tickets for this week’s North America Challenge games are available now.
 

McMaster Marauders (12-4, 10-0) (2022-23 Regular Season Stats – To Date)
1st in OUA Standings

Long Beach State University Beach (21-6, 8-2) (2022 Regular Season Stats)
1st in The Big West Standings

McMaster 2022-23 Regular Season Stats – To Date

Long Beach State 2022 Regular Season Stats

The McMaster Marauders will look to continue the fall’s momentum into the second half of the OUA season. The #2 nationally-ranked Marauders sit at a perfect 10-0 in the conference standings but with ten games still remaining in the 2022-23 regular season, including two against the Toronto Varsity Blues – the #6 team in the nation – the maroon and grey will look to continue its winning ways. The Marauders also boast impressive veteran depth, which has led them to the only undefeated record in the nation at this point in the season. As the hosts of the 2023 U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball Championship, McMaster will look to continue its winning ways this weekend against the visiting Beach.

The Golden State squad had an impressive 2022 campaign. The Beach play in the Big West Conference along with California State University at Northridge, Hawai’i, University of California – Irvine, University of California – San Diego, and University of California – Santa Barbara. LBSU went 21-6 last year including 8-2 in conference play, and qualified for the playoffs. LBSU fell to the Hawai’i Rainbows 3-0 in the 2022 National Championship title game but, regardless, the Beach are 3x NCAA National Champions, winning the title in 1991, 2018 and 2019. The NCAA men’s volleyball season officially begins on January 13th for LBSU so the team will look to open the new year with wins against their only Canadian opponent – the McMaster Marauders.

All Time

McMaster and Long Beach State University have a recent history as they have matched-up five times in the past five years. McMaster won the first two contests but, since then, Long Beach State has gone undefeated with the California squad leading the series 3-2. McMaster will look to extend its record this Thursday and Saturday.
 

Players to Watch

Long Beach State

#3 Mason Briggs, 6’0″, Libero

• 2022 AVCA All-America First Team & 2022 Big West All-First Team
• Team leader in digs with 254
• Led the Big West and was fifth in the nation with a 2.51 digs per set average

#12 Clarke Godbold, 6’5″, Outside Hitter

• 2022 AVCA All-America Second Team & 2022 Big West All-First Team
• Had 281 kills and 19 service aces on the year last season
• Led the Beach in blocks with 88

• Conference leader in block assists with 22
• Ranks second in the OUA in total blocks (30) and third in blocks per set (0.86)
• Has recorded 13 service aces at the mid-point of the season

Game Coverage

Watch Live: https://oua.yaretv.com/

Twitter: @McMasterSports

Instagram: @mcmastermvb
 

For the latest news and updates on the McMaster Marauders, follow @mcmastersports on social media or visit www.marauders.ca.