When it comes to satisfying UCLA’s crosstown rivalry
needs, one need not look further than the UCLA men’s
volleyball team. With a 3-0 victory over the Trojans on Jan. 10 and
some heady talk, the team provides Bruin fans with some much-needed
bravado.
“There is definitely some carry over with the rivalry
because we are blue and gold and they are crimson and …
whatever,” senior outside hitter J.T. Wenger said.
The No. 3 Bruins face the Trojans ““ who are in the middle
of a five-match losing streak ““ tonight at USC’s North
Gym. USC (1-5 overall, 0-3 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) is
not particularly big, but makes up for its lack of size with solid
play. Sophomore outside hitter Joao Grangeiro is only 6-foot-2, but
“he can jump well, and he knows how to play,” said UCLA
assistant coach Brian Rofer.
The Trojans feature Blake Tippett, a junior outside hitter who
the Bruins recruited as a libero. Coach Al Scates said that
opposite Pedro Leal is another top player for the Trojans, but the
Bruins didn’t face him in Santa Barbara on Jan. 10. Leal will play
tonight.
“We have to be disciplined in blocking against USC, or
they can beat us,” Rofer said.
The Bruins (6-1, 2-1) also relish the opportunity to play in the
North Gym, a much smaller venue than UCLA’s Pauley
Pavilion.
“It’s a treat to play in a smaller environment.
Because we play on the road, we are used to it even though we play
in a massive arena,” Wenger said.
Given the rivalry, one imagines the Bruins will face quite the
hostile crowd, though some UCLA players downplay the rivalry.
“USC grads make more of a big deal about the rivalry than
UCLA alumni,” senior middle blocker Chris Peña said.
“I run into USC grads and it comes up, and I don’t
care.”
However, those with more perspective see the reality of the
rivalry, whether players do or not.
“(For) some of the younger guys who have always beaten
USC, it hasn’t been a rivalry,” said Rofer, who
lettered on the UCLA men’s volleyball team from 1978-80 as a
middle blocker. “Some guys have never lost to USC. Some
players don’t realize how nice it is to beat USC. Players say
that there is no rivalry because they are used to beating them. If
they lost, people would be upset.”
From the way the Bruins are talking, they don’t expect to
be upset tonight.