UCLA men’s volleyball coach Al Scates loves a good
competition.
He didn’t get one in the top-ranked Bruins’ 30-16,
30-14, 30-25 stomping of UC Santa Cruz on Wednesday at Pauley
Pavilion.
But with outside hitter J.T. Wenger continuing his hot streak,
slamming 10 kills on 12 attempts in two games for an .833 hitting
percentage, a dogfight is shaping up for the starting spot when
injured team captain Jonathan Acosta returns.
“It’s a good problem,” Scates said.
“Competition is what this program is based on. There are no
guarantees.”
Wenger is now hitting .372 and averaging 2.90 kills per game
since beginning the season in the starting lineup. He hit .292 last
year.
Scates said the key to Wenger’s recent success has been
his improved conditioning and dedication in the film room.
“You take responsibility when you’re a
senior,” Wenger said.
Acosta, meanwhile, completed a full practice for the first time
on Monday since his bout last month with appendicitis after a
preseason match.
Acosta, a junior, has lost weight and 15 inches off his vertical
jump, according to Scates. He also has yet to practice on the first
court.
“First he has to beat out an outside hitter on my
court,” Scates said.
The team’s leading attacker last season is not expected to
make his debut for another three weeks, though he thinks it will be
sooner.
“I’m happy (Wenger’s) doing well,”
Acosta said. “I love to compete. I’m going to do
anything I have to do to get my job back.”
Wenger also downplayed any notion of an outside hitter
controversy.
“We’re putting up “˜Ws,’ and that’s
what we’re looking for.”
UCLA improves to 9-1 with the non-conference win over Division
III UC Santa Cruz (5-5).
Bruin middle blocker Paul Johnson had nine kills and six blocks,
and libero Adam Shrader registered 10 digs in their two games of
action. The entire bench got playing time in Game 3.
UCLA out-hit UC Santa Cruz .568-.136 and out-blocked it 8-1.
The Banana Slugs were led by outside hitter Sam
Fullerton’s 11 kills.
UCLA returns to Mountain Pacific Sports Federation action Friday
at the Matadome against No. 5 Cal State Northridge.