In the midst of a game-changing 10-3 run on Friday against
crosstown rival USC, redshirt freshman Gaby Acevedo circled the
court, urging the fans to get louder.
And louder they became, especially after Acevedo, UCLA’s
starting setter, was given a warning by the referee for inciting
the crowd.
“It was a huge match, especially against USC,”
Acevedo said. “There was no way I was going to let our team
lose.”
The incident was emblematic of Acevedo’s influence on the
UCLA men’s volleyball team this season.
Whereas last year’s senior-led team felt the pressure of
never having captured a national championship, this year’s
Bruins have exhibited quite a different demeanor, in large part due
to Acevedo’s carefree attitude.
The difference has led the Bruins to a 7-0 start and the
nation’s No. 1 ranking.
“I think there might have been an added pressure for last
year’s team,” Acevedo said. “It went kind of
unsaid, but no one wanted to be the first senior class not to win a
national title at UCLA.
“We haven’t had to deal with that, and it has been a
big load taken off this year’s team.”
Part of the reason the team has seemed more at ease this season
is Acevedo’s unbridled passion for the game.
That calling originated in Acevedo’s native Puerto Rico,
where volleyball is more than just a niche sport.
While his American counterparts grew up idolizing Michael Jordan
and Joe Montana, Acevedo looked up to fellow Puerto Rican setters
Angel Aja and Jose Quinones.
“The game in Puerto Rico is completely different,”
said Acevedo, who started setting at the age of 12.
“The game is part of the culture. Opposing fans throw
coins and spit on you. They wait outside the gate to beat you up.
You have to be passionate, or you have no chance to
succeed.”
Acevedo trained under the tutelage of Juan Aviles, who also
taught Aja and Quinones, now both setters for the Puerto Rican
national team.
“Juan is considered the god of Puerto Rican
setting,” Acevedo said.
That knowledge really came in use two years ago, when Acevedo
played on the Puerto Rican junior national team in Louisville,
Ky.
In attendance was UCLA men’s volleyball coach Al Scates,
who was only at the tournament due to some unusual
circumstances.
“I never attend recruiting events,” Scates said.
“It just happened that both of my assistants had prior
commitments, and I was only the person left.
“It was a good thing I went.”
At the tournament, Acevedo faced off against current Bruin and
present-day roommate Steve Klosterman, who was playing for the U.S.
Junior National Team.
Scates was intrigued by both players, and knew that after that
trip, both of them would soon be calling Westwood their new
home.
“I was thoroughly impressed with both, but particularly
Gaby,” Scates said.
“I saw that he was a gamer and he really understood the
game.”
Acevedo’s play was so impressive that he was given a full
scholarship by UCLA later that summer, which made his decision of
where to go to college pretty simple.
“It would have been crazy for me to pass up an offer from
the Bruins,” Acevedo said. “But to pass up a
scholarship offer would have been unthinkable.”
Acevedo has definitely made the most of his opportunity.
Whether encouraging his outside hitters or diving for loose
balls, Acevedo has made his presence known on the court.
“Gaby has been great this year,” senior Paul Johnson
said. “He has taken a great hold of the offense, and has been
a rejuvenation to this year’s team.”
“That is the best thing about Gaby,” Scates said.
“He always has a positive attitude, and he inspires our
team.”
Acevedo, who redshirted as a true freshman last season, has
followed in the steps of other great Bruin setters such as Stein
Metzger, Brandon Teliaferro and Karch Kiraly, who were all known
for their fiery effort on the court.
That intensity helped him win the starting setter job this fall
as last year’s setter Dennis Gonzalez was taking care of
academic problems.
Acevedo has yet to relinquish the position since.
Averaging 12.38 assists per game, Acevedo has spread the ball
around the Bruin offense while UCLA has three players averaging
over three kills per game.
Yet it’s his passion ““ not his talent ““ that
has had the biggest impact for the Bruins.