The UCLA men’s volleyball team had to reinvent its
identity this year after losing six of seven starters from the
previous season, and often struggled with inexperience.
But the Bruins ultimately managed to overcome their challenges
and string together 14 consecutive wins, capturing the NCAA
Championship last weekend at Penn State.
With three starters returning next year and many bench players
getting valuable playing time this season, UCLA will again be
challenged to compete for the NCAA title next year.
“We are going to have a very good team next year,”
coach Al Scates said. “The experience this team now has is
invaluable. With just our returning players, we would be hard to
beat, but we also have some great guys coming in.”
The returning starters for the Bruins include opposite Steve
Klosterman, outside hitter Paul George and libero Tony Ker.
Klosterman was the MVP of the NCAA Tournament, and came back
from shoulder surgery last summer to lead the Bruins with 466 kills
this season.
George was the Bruins’ unsung hero, as he was second on
the team with 400 kills, second in digs as well with 272, and the
third-best UCLA blocker. Playing in 132 of the team’s 135
total games, George provided the Bruins with an emotional
leadership and consistency in a lineup that was often shuffled
throughout the season.
Ker, a former All-American, led UCLA with 318 digs in his role
as the team’s libero, good enough for the second-highest
tally in the nation.
“Tony takes more court than anyone else in the
nation,” Scates said. “… He does his job better than
anyone in the country, and it’s great to have him back next
year.”
An additional benefit for next year’s squad will be the
significant playing time several Bruins received this year.
Freshman outside hitter Sean O’Malley started for the
first month of the season while Klosterman recovered from surgery,
and contributed 119 kills in 49 games.
Likewise, freshman Matt Wade filled the starting setter position
for much of the season, setting 8.93 assists per game as senior
Dennis Gonzalez struggled with various injuries.
“Matt got some valuable experience this season as a
freshman,” Scates said. “He was able to compete for the
starting spot with an experienced senior, so that shows how
talented he is.”
Although the returning players will certainly form a solid core,
the four starting seniors will still be missed.
In addition to Gonzalez, seniors Nick Scheftic, David Russell
and Damien Scott will be graduating. The lesson that can be taken
from the current seniors is that hard work pays off, as none of the
four were on the court for the NCAA Finals last season but all
played major roles in this year’s national championship.
“The seniors had a tremendous work ethic that is rare for
players who haven’t played a lot,” Scates said.
“These guys kept working hard to make themselves better
until, by the end of the year, they were just amazing and clearly
better than any team we played against.””
Filling in for the seniors will be several standout incoming
freshmen, including Kent Kraushaar, Dylan Bowermaster and Garrett
Muagututia.
“Those three guys are very gifted athletes who can play at
almost any position,” Scates said. “This recruiting
class is among the best in UCLA history.
With great returning and incoming players, UCLA expects to be a
dominant force in the nation next year and for many years to
come.
“We have a little dynasty going at UCLA,” Scates
said. “I’d like to continue that for a few more years;
maybe ten.”