The UCLA men’s volleyball team doesn’t know much
about the UC Santa Cruz team it will face tonight in Pauley
Pavilion.
But the Bruins do know that coming off their Saturday victory
over then-No. 1 Pepperdine, they are now the top-ranked team,
receiving all 16 first-place votes in the USA Today/AVCA poll
released Tuesday. But the team is more concerned with the Banana
Slugs than the ranking.
“The No. 1 ranking is pretty much a formality at this
point in the season,” senior libero Adam Shrader said.
“We have three more months to go, and our only goal is to be
ranked No. 1 at the end of the season. It’s nice to be No.1,
but now the hardest part is to stay No. 1. Everyone is out to get
us now, and we have to bring our best game.”
Division III Santa Cruz, which is riding a three-match winning
streak, will be gunning for the Bruins. And with UCLA’s busy
schedule, the Bruins (8-1) have had no time to scout the Banana
Slugs (5-4).
UCLA coach Al Scates said his team will simply play its own game
against Santa Cruz, a non-conference opponent.
“If (Santa Cruz) wins one game, I will be
surprised,” Scates said. “We have no idea what they
will do. If we execute, we will be fine.”
With the No. 1 ranking comes a big target on the proverbial back
of the UCLA squad, and the Bruins know that.
“Personally I don’t like the No. 1 ranking,”
senior middle blocker Chris Peña said. “No. 1 is nice on
paper, but we haven’t done anything yet. The Santa Cruz match
is a good way to focus and get better. Every practice we are trying
to get better.”
Last year’s dreadful season, in which UCLA failed to make
the postseason, seems to have left a mark on the Bruins. But the
squad has regrouped, and its decision to not place much importance
on the No. 1 ranking is indicative of its character.
Scates has noticed the team’s higher energy level and
effort in practice.
“Players are diving to the floor for balls in
practice,” he said. “Last year people stood around.
This year we are going for everything.”
So, while the Bruins know little about Santa Cruz, they know
what they have to do.
“Going into Wednesday’s match, it’s going to
be business as usual,” senior opposite hitter Marcin Jagoda
said. “We are going to try to take care of it off the bat.
That’s our focus.”