They’ve experienced it once already this season, and they
vowed to never let it happen again.
But on Friday, the members of the women’s volleyball team
could not escape the retribution from No. 6 Washington, and the
Bruins suffered their second loss of the season.
In a heartbreaking four-game, 28-30, 30-24, 30-27, 30-27 loss to
the defending national champion Huskies, No. 4 UCLA fell to 22-2
and 9-2 in Pac-10 play. They hold an identical conference record
with Washington after Friday’s match.
In the past two meetings, the Bruins were able to hold out
Washington in five games at home. But once on the Huskies’
home court, the tables were turned.
“With a crowd of around 3,500 and a lot of support behind
them, they played very well,” UCLA coach Andy Banachowski
said.
“I thought they played with a lot more confidence being at
home.”
Washington was also able to avenge its earlier loss to USC on
Thursday night, and is stringing together some very crucial
victories for a seven-match winning streak.
On Friday it was all about winning the decisive game-shifting
moments. And the Bruins couldn’t convert when it mattered
most.
“They gave us all we could handle and more,”
Banachowski said. “We had the chance to win crucial points
but we made errors on (them). We didn’t execute the way we
did in previous matches.”
But UCLA was able to establish control in the first game. After
Washington came back from an 18-13 deficit to tie the score at 18,
the Bruins managed to restrain the Huskies until the end of the
set.
But the rest of the night went downhill from there. Though the
Bruins put up stout blocks throughout the night, outblocking the
Huskies 18-10, the UCLA offense faltered. UCLA hit below a .200
average for the first three sets, finishing with a .211 average on
the night.
“Our attacking wasn’t what it normally is,”
Banachowski said. “Our outsides didn’t put up the
numbers like they usually do.”
Meanwhile, the Huskies hit for a more consistent .271 clip, led
by outside hitter Christal Morrison, who had a match-high 25 kills.
Outside hitter Stevie Mussie put in a solid double-double effort as
well, with 20 kills and 10 digs. Alesha Deesing led the way in the
middle with 18 kills.
“The (Washington) middles outplayed us,” Banachowski
said. “They outdug us, too. So they had the opportunity to
take a lot more swings and have a better offense.”
Washington took over 30 more swings than the Bruins, and that
may have proved the difference in the match.
But there were also some bright spots in the match for UCLA.
“Colby Lyman had a good blocking night,” Banachowski
said of the senior outside hitter, who was in on eight blocks
Friday. “She also came up with some big kills.”
Middle blocker Nana Meriwether had another strong showing in the
loss, providing a strong foundation of 12 blocks and 15 kills.
“Nana was the best offensive player,” Banachowski
said. “Her blocking numbers were pretty
outstanding.”
The Bruins will get the chance to rebound this Friday and
Saturday against Arizona State and Arizona in Pauley Pavilion.