Photo courtesy Long Beach State athletics.

Dean Bittner, a 6-0 outside hitter for then-No. 4 Long Beach State, has been named the Sports Imports/AVCA Division I-II Men's National Player of the Week. He earned the award after leading the 49ers to two wins over then-No. 3 BYU last week, helping Long Beach claim first place in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. In his first match against BYU, Bittner hit .387 behind 18 kills, while adding a career-high five aces, four digs and one block in the 49ers’ sweep of the Cougars. The following day, Bittner tallied 22 kills, eight digs, six blocks and one ace in the 3-1 win. For the week, Bittner hit at a .351 clip, while averaging 5.71 kills, 1.71 digs, 1.00 block and 7.07 points per game. Bittner is the 16th player from Long Beach State, and the second this season, to be named Sports Imports/AVCA Division I-II Men's National Player of the Week. The last 49er to win the award was Paul Lotman on January 22, 2008. Long Beach State is coached by Alan Knipe.