UC Irvine men’s volleyball head coach John Speraw knows Al
Scates as well as anyone.
Speraw played under the UCLA head coach for three years, winning
two national titles. He also coached under Scates as an assistant
for another four years.
So Speraw, after leaving UCLA for UCI in July, knows full well
that when he brings his undefeated No. 2 Anteaters to Pauley
Pavilion tonight, Scates’ No. 3 Bruins will be ready.
“UCLA is going to be gunning for us on their home
court,” he said. “We’re looking at a real fired
up team. It’s going to be a dogfight.”
Speraw is ecstatic about all this because traditionally, UCLA
has cakewalked all over UCI. The Bruins are 43-2 all-time against
the Anteaters.
However, one of the two losses came last weekend at the UC Santa
Barbara tournament. UCI won in five games, taking the fifth game
17-15.
After only five matches with Speraw at the helm, the Anteaters
have their best ranking in school history, and have wins over
perennial powerhouses Pepperdine, Stanford, and UC Santa
Barbara.
Oh, and UCLA (3-1), too.
UCLA did play 14 players in the match, while UCI played its
starters, but the loss was enough to get Scates’
attention.
“What makes this match lively is that they beat us,”
Scates said. “Anybody that beats us gets special attention.
John has done a splendid job ““ thus far.”
Speraw said that he gets along too well with Scates to have a
heated teacher-student rivalry. Still, just to have his team on the
UCLA radar screen is enough for now.
“It would be my wish for this to be a rivalry,”
Speraw said. “That would mean UCI is doing something
good.”
In tonight’s Mountain Pacific Sports Federation opener,
the Anteaters are led by outside hitter Jimmy Pelzel, who won
conference Player of the Week honors for blasting a match-high 25
kills against UCLA.
The Bruins come into the match a little banged up. Junior middle
blocker Matt Shubin, who had a team-high 14 kills against UCI, will
suit up with severe shin splints.
It doesn’t help that Speraw can scout UCLA with the best
of them.
“I suppose I know a few of their tricks,” he
said.
“John knows our players,” Scates said. “But
now we know his players, too.
“They’re running our offense and defense.
That’s nice. John runs it better than most people who copy
it.”
At least one UCLA player chooses to avoid the buzz over Scates
and Speraw.
“I don’t care whoever the heck is on the other
side,” junior middle blocker Chris Peña said. “Our
business is to beat them.”
The result of the match, however, won’t change anything in
Speraw’s mind.
“Al taught me everything I know about coaching. I’m
forever indebted to him.”