LA JOLLA, Calif. - The 13th-ranked UC San Diego men's volleyball team dropped a 30-25, 30-27, 26-30, 30-24 decision to No. 6 Long Beach State on Friday night in RIMAC Arena. A week after being swept by the 49ers in Long Beach, the Tritons put together a stronger battle and remained even with the 49ers heading into the final 10 points of each set. Jason Spangler led the Tritons with 19 kills while Frank Fritsch added 17 kills. Dean Bittner led LBSU with 20 kills. The Tritons did manage to hit .352, but were outblocked by a 13.0 - 7.0 margin. With the loss, UCSD drops to 3-7, 1-5 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, while LBSU improves to 5-4, 4-2 MPSF.

Joel Davidson also reached double figures in kills with 14. Calvin Ross added nine kills and a team-high four blocks. Chase Frishman led UCSD with nine digs. Phil Bannan had 57 assists, three digs and three blocks.

There were 15 total ties in the first set, the final coming at 24-24. LBSU scored four straight points to pull away and take the set at 30-25. LBSU hit at a .529 clip, while the Tritons hit .433.

In the second set, there were five ties and three lead changes. UCSD was again close late in the set, trailing 22-21. LBSU managed to go on a 5-2 run to extend the lead to 27-23. UCSD came within 28-26, but LBSU was too much and took the set 30-27.

UCSD hit at a .433 clip in the third set, while LBSU managed only a .097 hitting percentage. Once again, the Tritons found themselves in a late 23-23 tie, but this time back-to-back Spangler and Fritsch kills put UCSD on top. Fritsch would sent home the final kill as UCSD took the third set 30-26.

The fourth set saw LBSU jump out to a 19-13 lead. UCSD would come back within 24-20 after a Bannan and Ross block. The 49ers were able to put the match away this time at 30-24.

UCSD is back in action on Saturday night when it takes on Hope International in Fullerton. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m.