In many ways, it feels like this was the inevitable matchup for the end of the season. These two teams met in the championship match last season. UCLA was able to continue the strange pattern of teams winning two championships in a row. This season, the Bruins look for a three-peat.
Although their star setter wasn’t there, the 2024 loss is definitely in the minds of the Beach. They want to start their own back-to-back championship trend. Long Beach has been the top team in the country for most of the season so this is matchup of titans.
When the 2025 season began, only two teams received first place votes. UCLA [22] and Long Beach [1]. At the end of the season, one of those two teams will have a trophy to add to their collection. This is drama. This is volleyball. This is everything we could hope for and more.
Championship Match Projection
#1 Long Beach (60%) vs #3 UCLA (40%)
This will come down to depth and how that depth performs.
Additionally, the match will obviously be down to serve and pass and who survives the MPH serves. It could be as simple if Larson has a great match keeping Beach in system or vice versa.