M. VOLLEYBALL Today, 7 p.m. v. Hawai’i Pauley
Pavilion
Usually athletes grow out their hair until a winning streak
comes to an end. But some members of the men’s volleyball
team felt it was necessary to chop their lovely locks as they
restlessly search for their second conference win.
UCLA is looking to get a much-needed jump-start for the season
before it is too late, and the No. 8 Bruins (3-6, 1-5 MPSF) are
hoping that win comes either tonight against No. 9 Hawaii (2-4,
2-2), or in Friday’s rematch.
At Saturday’s match against USC, fans saw Bruin starters
Paul George and Jamie Diefenbach, in addition to a few other
players, sporting shorter hairdos, which they said carried a
somewhat significant meaning.
“It wasn’t a team haircut, but I think there was a
common sentiment,” Diefenbach said. “It went without
saying that we kinda need to turn it around, and a clean haircut
was (a) way to do it.”
“I’m one of those people who believe that if
you’re losing, you’re still doing something
wrong,” said George, who previously had a full mane of hair.
“You have to do whatever you can to figure it out. I think it
was about time for me to get a haircut anyway ““ just lop it
all off, why not.”
The haircuts didn’t seem to do UCLA any good against USC,
but maybe they will bring the Bruins better luck against
Hawai’i.
The Warriors meet UCLA for the first time since April 22, 2006,
when the Bruins ended the season for Hawai’i. Aware that the
Warriors might be carrying some emotional baggage from last
year’s match, UCLA is ready to match that level of
intensity.
“We have our backs against the wall right now,”
Diefenbach said. “We know that if we’re going to have
any chance of making a serious run for the playoffs, we have to win
these matches. They may hate us, but we couldn’t be more
cornered right now.”
“They’re going to be looking to get a couple of
wins, and they’re going to want to beat us at home,
especially,” George said. “I’m sure a lot of
those guys are still feeling from last year.”
Since last year’s playoff match, however, the team
chemistries have changed a lot, as both teams have been shuffling
their lineups around, trying to find a combination of players who
will bring back the glory of both schools’ historical
volleyball programs.
It’s anyone’s guess as to who will be in what
position on any given night. You may find Bruin Steve Klosterman in
the middle or at opposite. Or Beau Peters may be setting in place
of Matt Wade. Warrior Lauri Hakala may be found on the right side,
but has recently been switched to a less effective spot on the
left. The Finn hit an efficient .371 last year, but is averaging a
dismal .161 this season, playing the majority of matches at
outside.
“That means they need some left side hitters, because
(Hakala) was a very good right side hitter,” UCLA coach Al
Scates said. “But he’s such a great athlete, I’m
sure he’ll just keep getting better over on the
left.”
Both teams have also been fighting battles off the court, with
the bulk of the Warriors’ starting lineup out because of the
flu bug for their match against Irvine a couple of weeks ago.
Several Bruins are currently fending off the stomach flu as well.
Outside hitter Dylan Bowermaster didn’t even suit up for
Saturday’s match, while George and Peters battled through it
despite nasty side effects.
“There are a lot of guys vomiting, not wanting to sit out
of practice but having to,” George said. “I drank two
gallons of Gatorade just trying to keep myself hydrated, but
I’m feeling a lot better. People are starting to get better
and taking care of ourselves, and that’s what
matters.”
Shaken lineups and flu bugs aside, tonight’s match will
surely be reminiscent of the two schools’ rivalry games
past.