Surely UCLA was going to sweep La Verne. The only question was
whether or not the Bruins on Wednesday would stay interested
throughout their match against a Division III program.
But since this was a tuneup for their Mountain Pacific Sports
Federation opener at Stanford on Saturday, the Bruins did not
relent in gunning down the Leopards 30-17, 30-16, 30-21 at Pauley
Pavilion.
“I love how everyone improved against one of the weaker
teams,” UCLA coach Al Scates said.
The most impressive Bruin on the night was sophomore transfer
Beau Peters, who was making his first appearance in Pauley while
wearing a Bruin uniform. The first time he played in the building
was last January when he set Long Beach State to a five-game win
over the Bruins.
“Playing against (UCLA) is a different experience because
you want to beat them so bad,” said Peters, who tallied 25
assists in two games Wednesday.
“Our mental discipline was good tonight. To stay focused
shows a lot about the maturity on this team.”
Peters, who won the starting job after solid performances at
tournaments in Canada and Santa Barbara, also displayed a good
presence at the net, registering three blocks.
The ex-49er will have to continue to play well in order to hold
onto his job. Sophomore Dennis Gonzalez, who challenged him all
through fall practice, also played well Wednesday, notching 16 set
assists in Game 3.
Freshman opposite hitter Steve Klosterman had an impressive home
debut, as well, with nine kills on 10 attempts, five digs and three
blocks.
“It’s so much fun hitting in this place,”
Klosterman said. “It’s overwhelming.”
Junior outside hitter Kris Kraushaar led UCLA (4-0) with 10
kills, and Matt Cornell led all attackers with 11 kills for La
Verne (1-2).
UCLA (4-0) had virtually emptied its bench by Game 3.
Scates said he scheduled La Verne not so much for good
competition, but in the name of helping to save a sport that is
struggling to maintain collegiate programs.
“If we don’t play La Verne, I don’t know what
would happen,” Scates said, adding that he did not know where
La Verne is located. “It keeps them alive.”
The Leopards, with their tallest starter at just 6-foot-5, did
have fun in the match, taunting the Bruins after kills in Game 3
before celebrating their reaching 20 points against the No. 2 team
in the nation.
Peters, the newest Bruin, understands that teams like these will
be looking to topple UCLA all year long.
“Everyone brings their A game, and you always get a tough
match,” he said.
Well, almost always.