Right before Al Scates begins his 42nd year as UCLA men’s
volleyball coach, he has thrown tradition out the window.
That’s what happens coming off a season in which you miss the
playoffs for the first time in school history. So as the Bruins go
into their final match of the preseason against Team Canada Masters
on Friday night at Pauley Pavilion, no longer is everyone this side
of the Blue Curtain getting token playing time. “I’m
going to put out there the team that’s been playing the
best,” Scates said. No starting job is safe, and so far,
senior all-conference middle blocker Chris Peña, a two-year
starter, is experiencing that first-hand. Juniors Paul Johnson and
Allan Vince have moved ahead of Peña on the depth chart.
Johnson has emerged as the team’s best blocker, while Vince,
who converted to the position after playing last year at opposite
hitter, had an impressive showing two weeks ago at the Husky Dino
Cup. “Peña’s going to have to step up his
blocking,” Scates said. “It’s not as good as it
was last year.” Peña led the team in total blocks last
year, but is not considered to be a top blocker, standing just 6
feet 6 inches. He is more known for his attacking ability after
hitting .458 last season, but Scates is concerned that might change
now that Rich Nelson, who played with Peña for six years in
club and at UCLA, has graduated. “(The new setters)
don’t have that same radar to find him,” Scates said.
Peña, who ironically won his job after an impressive fall
season two years ago, is confident that all this is just temporary.
“It makes me happy,” he said. “I was worried I
would get too comfortable (as a starter). I know what I’m
capable of.” Meanwhile, true freshman opposite hitter Steve
Klosterman will make his much-anticipated home debut against Team
Canada Masters. With the ability to jump serve, pass and block,
Klosterman, the No. 1 recruit in the nation, might just be
UCLA’s biggest talent since opposite hitter Matt Komer
graduated after the 2002 season. Oh, and he can hit, too.
“He’s the real thing,” Scates said. “He can
put the ball away from anywhere. Right now, he’s our best
outside hitter.” It appears more and more likely that Long
Beach State transfer Beau Peters, a former teammate of
Klosterman’s at Huntington Beach Marina High, will be setting
him. Scates will continue to sit true freshman Julio Acevedo
because he does not want to use up a season of Acevedo’s
eligibility in case he does not win the job by the start of the
regular season. “It’s not what I expected because I
know I can play with the first team,” Acevedo said.
“It’s a coach’s decision, but I’m feeling
positive about it.” Junior outside hitter and team captain
Jonathan Acosta has been slowed in practice by a stomach strain and
is questionable to play today. Senior J.T. Wenger would start in
his place. Team Canada Masters, which begins its four-match
California tour at UCLA, features players who are all at least 30
years old. The Bruins have beaten them the past two years.
QUICK SETS: Sophomore outside hitter Gray
Garrett had a doctor evaluate his wrist Thursday, which he
re-injured last week in practice during a blocking drill. Garrett
had the wrist in a cast for nine weeks over the summer after
fracturing it. … Middle blockers Patrick Nihipali (hamstring) and
Matt Shubin (viral infection) returned to practice Tuesday.