Women's Volleyball

The Bold Break: Power Play with Logan King of Long Beach State

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Logan King’s journey from the greater Toronto area of  Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, to competing in Southern California has been an adventure filled with cultural adjustments and athletic growth for the redshirt freshman volleyball player at Long Beach State.

Off the court, King has had to navigate the differences in food, social customs, and the overall pace of life.

On the court, the transition was equally challenging, adapting to a faster playing style and the increased athletic focus that characterizes sports in the United States.

“I come from a more traditional volleyball background, which I think is kind of slower and more focused on just power,” King said. “Having to adjust to kind of a faster set was definitely different for me. I think it definitely makes you better.”
 
Evolving game and new experiences
King’s journey took her beyond Canada’s borders, earning the opportunity to represent her country at the U21 NORCECA Pan Am Cup and the U21 World Championships.

These experiences were pivotal for player skill development while also getting exposure to different styles of volleyball from around the world.

“It was huge,” King said. “It kind of pushes your skills to your limits because you’re playing against whole different types of styles of volleyball. I think you definitely have to try and keep up, you know, change things on the move.”

The time spent competing internationally not only honed skills on the court but also bolstered the confidence of the redshirt freshman opposite hitter. Named best opposite and helping the team advance to the bronze medal match at the Pan Am Cup was just a testament to the hard work King has invested in growth in the game.
 
A strong start
King’s dedication and hard has resulted in six nods as Big West Freshman of the Week, including consecutive distinctions on two occasions. Additionally, King ranks in the top three in The Big West in kills (3.62) and points (4.20) per set through the end of the regular season.

The individual recognitions and standout statistics are not just a personal achievement but also a validation of the effort put into the sport.

“To kind of come in and have some of the success that I was hoping for, especially against some really amazing teams, I think it's been really nice to see," King said. "It can be hard when you're redshirting to try and remember the goals that you have ahead and go like, I need to push myself and apply myself every single day, even though maybe it's not translating onto the court. It's been a nice cherry on top to all the work I've put in."

The support of the community, teammates and coaches at Long Beach State played a crucial role in the collegiate journey.

King emphasized the impact of the fan backing which as provided another layer of motivation to excel on the court.

“The community here supports our athletics so much,” King said. “That’s huge when you’re starting off in the NCAA to have people behind you.”

Helping elevate King's game, the coaching staff has introduced her to new techniques and strategies, expanding the repertoire of shots King can successfully place on the court.

The Beach earned a berth in The Hawaiian Islands presents the 2025 Outrigger Big West Women's Volleyball Championship this week, with strong connections forged both on and off the court as the season has unfolded.

“Our chemistry on the court is a reflection of our chemistry off the court," King said. "We all spend so much time together and have so much fun together I think our chemistry is just a reflection of [our bond].”
 
Academic balance
Balancing studies in international business with the demands of being a student-athlete is no easy feat, but King relies on the support of campus and departmental academic support staff to handle the rigors of being a successful student-athlete.

Their guidance has been instrumental in managing academic responsibilities while competing at a high level.

“Obviously it's an adjustment coming into university, and you know, you're playing in the NCAA so things can kind of get distracting," King said. "Having my academic advisors, tutors to keep me on track and to help me stay afloat with all the stuff I'm doing, I think that's been a huge aspect for me. The amount of support we have here is why I’m having some success academically."
 
Looking ahead
As the Big West Championship approaches, King and the team is eager to perform and give back to the community that has supported them.

The opportunity to compete on their home turf and make a run for The Big West title is a driving goal, and King is determined to make the most of it.

“It’s exciting that we can hopefully do something for them, for all the support that we get,” King said.

King and No. 3 seed LBSU plays sixth-seeded UC Irvine in a postseason edition of the Black-Blue Rivalry in Wednesday's nightcap in the first round of The Hawaiian Islands presents the 2025 Outrigger Big West Women's Volleyball Championship with first serve in the match set for 6 p.m. from their home court at LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid. Purchase tickets to the event and make plans to join us at The at BigWest.org/WVBtix. Additional championship information can be found here >>>