Valencia boys volleyball alum shining as sophomore at LBSU

Current Long Beach State men's volleyball player and Valencia boys volleyball alum Kyle Ensing has been thriving this year as a starting opposite. Photo courtesy John Fajardo/LBSU Media Relations
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It’s hard to imagine this men’s volleyball season going any better for Kyle Ensing.

The opposite at Long Beach State and Valencia High boys volleyball alum has played a major role in the success of the 49ers, currently ranked No. 2 in the nation after sweeping No. 3 Brigham Young University, 3-0, on Saturday.

Ensing is currently second on the team with 280 kills. And in late January, he earned Mountain Pacific Sports Federation and American Volleyball Coaches Association player of the week honors after double-digit kill performances in Long Beach’s two wins over Hawaii.

“It’s outstanding,” said Valencia boys volleyball coach Kevin Kornegay. “He’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of kid. They don’t come around that often and when they do, you have to make the most of it.”

In the first game against Hawaii, the 6-foot-7 Ensing had his first double-double of the year with 24 kills and 10 digs. In the next game, he notched 11 kills and a .579 attack percentage.

“He looks the same,” Kornegay said. “To me he plays the same. He’ll have a great serve, serve and ace. Then he’ll serve to the net. He could take over a game when he was on with his serve. Nobody could handle the ball.”

Recently, on March 17, Ensing spearheaded Long Beach’s sweep of Cal State Northridge with a team-high 17 kills to go along with three blocks, one solo, and four digs.

A week later, the 49ers defeated BYU in three sets, marking the first time the Cougars had been swept at home since 2012. Ensing had 10 kills, including the game-winning kill and a .500 hitting percentage.

“He’s a well-rounded player that happens to be huge,” Kornegay, who watched the game on television said. “A lot of times you have well-rounded kids but they’re undersized. He’s kind of a whole package.”

Long Beach State is currently ranked No. 1 in its conference, the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.

LBSU is 22-3 overall and 15-2 in conference play. The MPSF tournament starts in mid-April.

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