Throwback Thursday Championship Edition: 2019 Men's Volleyball

In the new Throwback Thursday Championship Edition Series, the Vikings are revisiting different championships throughout Long Beach City College history. In this first installment, the Vikings go back to the latest championship from the 2019 men's volleyball team.

The No. 3 Long Beach City College men's volleyball team was crowned the 2019 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Champions Fullerton College after defeating the No. 4 Irvine Valley College Lasers in a 3-0 sweep on Saturday, Apr. 28, 2019. This is the tenth state title for Long Beach men's volleyball, and third under head coach Jonathan Charette.

The Vikings came ready to the Hornets' Nest after upsetting the No.2 El Camino Warriors on Thursday evening in the CCCAA Semifinal 3-0. The Lasers put up a tough barrier in the first set, but the Vikings were able to push through and take the first set 25-22. The Vikings continued their offensive momentum in the second set as they defeated the Lasers 25-12. Then they sealed their state title with another 25-12 set win to claim their victory.

Freshman outside hitter Kyle Anema earned the 2019 State Tournament Most Valuable Player accolades as he led the Vikings with 13 kills and two service aces. Anema was a force that the Lasers could not stop. He was intensely accurate at the net and drove his team to victory with his precision and intensity.

Freshman setter Joseph Rocha and freshman opposite Uriel Batista were also named to the All-State Tournament team for their display of athleticism and leadership during the tournament. Rocha totaled 33 assists for the Vikings and had a timely fake-out kill against Irvine Valley. Batista was dialed in for the game from the start as he smashed 10 kills and had two block assists for the Vikings.

The Vikings finished their championship season with 19-3 record.