5 things you need to know about Long Beach State's quest for national volleyball title

The Long Beach State men’s volleyball departed the city Monday moing, bound for Columbus, Ohio and the NCAA Final Four.

And they just might retu home as national champions.

The 49ers are ranked No. 1 in the nation and are proud flag-bearers for the city.

How proud?

“Let me put it like this,” said 49ers coach Alan Knipe. “We could have gotten a direct flight from LAX or we could leave from the Long Beach airport with a stop in Phoenix. We’re leaving from the Long Beach airport.”

• PHOTOS:Long Beach State Volleyball Send-Off to NCAA Final Four

Here are five things to know about the team’s championship pursuit:

How many wins will it take?

It’ll take two victories for the 49ers to take the title. They’ll likely face BYU on Thursday and then Ohio State on Saturday.

A pair of wins would mean the team’s second-ever NCAA title and first since 1991.

What’s the biggest hurdle?

In the end, it just might be the building. Ohio State may be the toughest team Long Beach State will face — and they’re also hosting the finals this year. So the 49ers can expect a room full of biased, boisterous Buckeyes if they land in the finals.

How long since last title?

It would be the school’s first NCAA championship since the women’s volleyball team won in 1998. That’s why the athletic department threw the 49ers a party on the steps of the Pyramid Monday moing, with fellow student-athletes, administrators, boosters, coaches, and university president Jane Close Conoley on hand to wish them well and wave goodbye to the bus as it left.

Best team in school history?

The 49ers already stack up as one of the best teams in school history, with an overall record of 27-3 and several players who’ve won national awards. Outside hitter TJ DeFalco, setter Josh Tuaniga, libero Andrew Sato, and middle blocker Amir Lugo-Rodriguez were all announced as first-team All-Americans on Monday, and all four won a national award for being the best player at their position last week.

Kyle Ensing and Bryce Yould were named second team and honorable mention All-Americans, meaning six of the team’s seven starters were All-Americans at one level or another, a school record.

Can you watch?

When the 49ers face the winner of BYU and Barton on Thursday in the Final Four, the match will be streamed live at NCAA.com beginning at 3 p.m.

If Long Beach State advances the national championship would be Saturday at 4 p.m., televised on ESPN.

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