O Canada ““ just preparing for a preseason tournament there
can say so much about the UCLA men’s volleyball team. The
Bruins open their fall season tonight at the Husky Dino Cup in
Calgary, but more interesting than any matches they will play are
the favorites who have emerged to earn starting positions since
practice began last week. Sophomore transfer Beau Peters appears to
have an early edge on true freshman Julio Acevedo at setter. In
fact, coach Al Scates has elected to leave Acevedo home on this
trip to keep open the option to redshirt the top setting recruit in
the nation. “They’re very close, but I want to make
sure (Acevedo) is starting before we use his freshman year,”
Scates said. UCLA’s other prized recruit, opposite hitter
Steve Klosterman, meanwhile, has impressed so much in practice that
he will make his starting debut in Calgary. Scates noted that
Klosterman is a well-rounded player, who is able to block, hit, and
pass well. Juniors Jonathan Acosta and Kris Kraushaar will start at
the outside hitting spots. At middle blocker, junior Paul Johnson
will get the first crack at replacing graduated all-conference
player Scott Morrow. Sophomore Nick Scheftic, who is 6 feet, 11
inches, is right on Johnson’s heels, having proven himself to
be the team’s best blocker, Scates said. Junior David Russell
has also impressed in practice, according to Scates, but will not
make the trip so that he can redshirt if he does not start this
year. UCLA’s main goal during round-robin matches tonight
against Calgary and Friday against MPSF-foes Pacific and Trinity
Western is to get all its players experience. Winning the
tournament, which the Bruins haven’t done since 1997, is a
secondary concern. “But I try to do both,” Scates
said.
QUICK SETS: Acosta will serve as team captain
this season”¦ Out of action are junior outside hitter Gray
Garrett (wrist), freshman middle blocker Patrick Nihipali
(hamstring) and senior middle blocker Matt Shubin (viral
infection). Nihipali was granted a medical redshirt after playing
last fall, but is missing the regular season due to an undisclosed
illness… Sophomore outside hitter Damien Scott has successfully
walked on to the football team, but he continues to practice with
the volleyball team on Mondays and Fridays… The spring volleyball
season will start in January, but the official schedule has not
been released.