The No. 3 Long Beach City College Vikings defeated the No. 6 Santiago Canyon Hawks 3-1 in the first round of the CCCAA Regional Playoffs for their twelfth-consecutive win. With the win, the Vikings will improve their overall record to 17-3 and advance to the California Community College Athletic Association State Championship Semifinals.  

The Vikings opened the match with a 25-17 set win over the Hawks. Then Santiago Canyon pushed back and won the second set 25-23. The Vikings regained their focus and took back the final two sets at 25-19 and 25-20.

Freshman outside hitter Kyle Anema led the team with 18 kills and totaled five service aces against the Hawks. Freshman opposite Uriel Batista was an offensive asset to the team with 13 kills and had two crucial blocks against Santiago Canyon's powerhouses.

Long Beach's setters were put to work against the Hawks as freshman Joseph Rocha was all over the court and in the air with 46 assists and freshman Kyler Tufuga was consistently ready for the ball as he totaled 15 digs for the Vikings.

The Vikings will return to the court in the CCCAA State Championship Semifinals against the No. 2 El Camino College Warriors on Thursday, Apr. 25 at Fullerton College.