Monday, March 31, 1997
M.VOLLEYBALL:
UCLA bests BYU through its blocks, kills and defenseBy Jennifer
Kollenborn
Daily Bruin Contributor
While most UCLA students were relaxing over spring break, the
UCLA men’s volleyball team was busy securing its spot in the
Mountain Pacific Sports Federation playoffs.
Last week the Bruins traveled to Provo, Utah, where No. 3 UCLA
defeated No. 1 Brigham Young University in two consecutive
matches.
In UCLA’s first match against BYU on Thursday, UCLA won 16-18,
15-9, 15-12, 15-9.
In the Bruins’ second game on Friday against the Cougars, UCLA
defeated BYU in a tight five-game match 15-9, 4-15, 15-10, 10-15,
18-16.
Despite the Cougars’ near-capacity crowd of 5,032 on Thursday,
UCLA managed to win all games but the first.
"They deserved the victory," BYU’s assistant coach Hugh
McCutcheon said. In the end, some bad calls at crucial times and
mistakes made by the Cougars cost them the match, McCutcheon
said.
The entire match lasted over two and a half hours before UCLA
emerged the victor. The Bruins’ attack gave them an edge as they
outhit the Cougars .340 to .265. UCLA’s freshman Adam Naeve led the
team with 38 kills for a team high percentage of .714.
UCLA also had a strong defense; the Bruins outblocked the
Cougars 23 to 11. UCLA’s Tom Stillwell led the team with 10
blocks.
Amidst all the intensity, BYU’s head coach, Carl McGown, was
jumping out of his seat yelling. Meanwhile, Bruin captain Paul
Nihipali  who spiked 32 for UCLA  was yellow-carded
after disagreeing with a call made by a referee.
UCLA beat the Cougars again on Friday night in five close
games.
BYU’s freshman Rich Lambourne was the man of the night with 28
kills.
After four intense games, the crowd’s noise rose to a feverish
pitch as fans tried to cheer the Cougars to victory. However, the
fifth game went to rallying score, and the Bruins thwarted BYU’s
hopes of victory, barely winning 18-16.
UCLA’s strong defense was once again a big factor. UCLA
outblocked its opponent 23 to 20, thus overcoming being outhit by
the Cougars .319 to .260.
UCLA’s two victories over BYU gives them an overall record of
16-3, 12-2 in the MPSF, and leaves BYU at 16-3, 12-3 in the
conference.
The two victories extended UCLA’s lead in the series to
24-2.
This week the Bruins host Loyola Marymount at 7 p.m. Wednesday
in Pauley Pavilion, and Pepperdine on Friday, again at 7 p.m. in
Pauley Pavilion.