Long Beach State Volleyball Stars Shine in Volleyball Nations League 2025

The Volleyball Nations League (VNL) is currently underway, showcasing the talents of nine athletes wiht ties to Long Beach State, representing Bulgaria, USA, Germany, and Canada. These players, both current and former Beach stars, are making meaningful contributions to their respective national teams.

Bulgarian Brothers Dominate the court

Brothers Alex and Moni Nikolov are representing Bulgaria in the VNL. Both had brief but impactful stints at Long Beach State, becoming the only NCAA players to ever win both AVCA Player of the Year and AVCA Newcomer of the Year awards. This year marks their first time playing together in the VNL.

Through four matches, Bulgaria holds a 2-2 record, securing victories against Argentina and Germany. Alex Nikolov has been a scoring force, averaging over 14 kills per match. Moni Nikolov has excelled as a setter, averaging 22 triumphant sets per match and earning a spot on the VNLS Week One Dream Team. Both brothers have also consistently recorded aces, with Moni averaging two per match.

Adding to the Bulgarian contingent is Alex Kandev, who played a crucial role in Long Beach state’s 2025 national championship victory, leading the team in kills during both the semifinal and championship matches. Kandev intends to return to Long Beach State after his VNL commitment.

team USA Features Long Beach State Alumni

Team USA’s roster includes three notable Long Beach State alumni: Mason Briggs,Kyle Ensing,and Shane Holdaway. The United States currently ranks sixth in the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Rankings.

Mason Briggs, a three-time AVCA First Team All-American libero, has participated in all four of Team USA’s matches. briggs spent four seasons at Long Beach State and was instrumental in the Beach’s journey to the 2024 national title game.

Kyle Ensing, an opposite hitter, is in his fourth year with Team USA in the VNL since graduating from Long Beach State in 2019. He was a vital component of Long Beach State’s consecutive national championships in 2018 and 2019, reaching the NCAA Final Four in all four of his collegiate seasons.

Shane Holdaway, a middle blocker, also contributed to Long Beach State for four years and was a member of the 2019 national title-winning team. He graduated in 2023 after starting all 25 matches during his senior year.

Team USA also stands at 2-2 after the first week, achieving wins against Iran and Cuba.

German Middle Blocker Makes His Mark

Simon Torwie is representing Germany in the VNL. Torwie, who grew up in Germany and played for the country’s U18 national team, spent four years at Long Beach State, earning first Team All-Conference honors during his senior year in 2024.

Through Germany’s initial four matches, Torwie has averaged over five kills and four blocks per match. Germany’s record is 1-3, with a victory over France and three close five-set losses to Bulgaria, Canada, and Italy.

Canadian Contingent Includes Current Beach Player

Skyler Varga, an active Long Beach State player, is representing Canada in the VNL. varga has recently started seeing playing time in Canada’s matches. He joined the VNL after an impressive junior season at Long Beach State, where he contributed to the Beach’s national championship victory [[1]].

Varga made his VNL debut against former teammate Moni Nikolov and Bulgaria, recording two kills. He also tallied 12 kills against France. Canada’s record is 2-2, with wins over Germany in the opening match and a recent sweep of Bulgaria.

Did You No? Long Beach State’s men’s volleyball program has secured four national championships, while the women’s team has claimed five [[1]].

Volleyball Nations League 2025: Long Beach State Athlete Performance

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on these Long Beach State alumni as the Volleyball Nations League progresses. Their performance could significantly impact their respective teams’ chances of success.

Long Beach State’s Volleyball Legacy

Long Beach State has a rich history in volleyball, with both the men’s and women’s programs achieving national success. The men’s team has secured four national championships, while the women’s team boasts five titles [[1]]. This legacy continues with current and former players making their mark on the international stage.

The university’s athletic program began in 1950 and has since accumulated 16 national championships across various sports [[1]]. Today, Long Beach State fields 19 teams competing at the intercollegiate level [[1]].

What are your predictions for these Long Beach State athletes in the VNL? Which team do you think will take home the championship? Share your thoughts in the comments below!