The men’s volleyball team has struggled with many aspects
of its game this season.
However, these did not include its ability to win five-game
matches.
On Friday, the Bruins came back from a two-game deficit to
defeat crosstown rival USC 30-32, 27-30, 30-27, 30-25, 15-7,
improving their record to 4-1 in five-game matches this season.
The victory, along with the Bruins’ 3-0 victory over
George Mason on Saturday, moved UCLA (14-12, 6-10 MPSF) into eighth
place in the MPSF standings, with a chance to qualify for the
postseason.
“Trust me, those victories weren’t easy, but we
pulled them out,” coach Al Scates said. “They were
crucial, because now we are a playoff team again.”
Against the Trojans, the Bruins came back from a 2-0 game
deficit that really shouldn’t have happened.
The Bruins gave up late leads in both of the first two games,
but ended up winning the last three games handily.
The player who led the Bruins’ comeback was the same one
who has led the Bruins all season ““ junior Steve
Klosterman.
As an outside hitter, Klosterman blocked USC’s attempt at
14-7 in the fifth game, leading the Bruins with 23 kills and a
career-high nine blocks in the game.
“I’ve said it all season,” Scates said.
“If Steve is healthy, there are not a lot of teams around the
country that can stop him. And against USC, they couldn’t hit
it over him either.”
The difference between the Bruins’ win on Friday and their
3-1 loss to Pepperdine on Thursday was their serving. Coming into
Friday the Bruins led the league in service errors, but in Game 5
against the Trojans, the Bruins came up with two big service
aces.
One of those came from senior middle blocker David Russell.
“We went out and served well. I substituted Russell for
Paul George, and he forced a lot of bad passes,” Scates said.
“That was why USC hit so low in that final game.”
In the fifth game alone, the Trojans had just three kills in 15
attempts, along with six hitting errors.
It was just the continuation of a trend the Bruins have
accomplished against their opponents this season.
“We always seem to have a little extra in those fifth
games,” Scates said. “Our guys don’t get tired,
and we’re able to use our depth. It’s an advantage we
have over other teams.”
With the victory, the Bruins now have a one-game lead over USC
and Pacific for the eighth and final place in the MSPF
standings.
UPCOMING GAME: The Bruins have a week off for
finals, but return to action in two weeks against Long Beach State
and UC San Diego at home.
The Bruins beat the Tritons in three straight games in the
teams’ last meeting on Feb. 24. The 49ers, however, pose a
greater challenge to the Bruins.
In order to defeat the 49ers, the Bruins will need more of the
late-game magic they showcased against USC on Friday, and perhaps a
little bit of home cooking when they face off in the Wooden
Center.
The No. 5 49ers are 17-6, and easily defeated the No. 11 Ohio
State Buckeyes in three games behind the strong play of senior
Duncan Budinger.