When UCLA faces Long Beach State at Pauley Pavilion tonight, it could be the end of a long run for some Bruin greats.
Seniors Paul George, Steve Klosterman, Beau Peters, Eric Chagouri, Brian Schrippa and Matt Susson will all be recognized before what could be their final home game at UCLA.
If UCSB loses to USC, then UCLA will get another home game, but otherwise, tonight is the last one.
“It’s our last game. … Hopefully, I’ll cherish it, and it’s nice that we’re playing Long Beach,” Klosterman said.
This game is even more special for Klosterman since he is originally from Long Beach.
Realizing that his run as a Bruin is nearing its end, team captain George shrugged a little bit.
“It’s been a good run,” George said. “It’s going to be a little sad, I think, senior night.”
The tandem of George and Klosterman have given the Bruins two very different kinds of senior leaders. George is vocal while Klosterman is more reserved.
“George fires us up, and Steve, his calmness just ““ … it’s like a balance,” freshman Garrett Muagututia said of his senior teammates.
“Both of these players have made enormous contributions to the men’s volleyball team and before their last season as Bruins ends, they are hoping to contribute even more to UCLA’s noteworthy volleyball history.”
Tonight is a rematch of the Feb. 28 contest when the Bruins lost a five-game match at Long Beach State.
The Bruins have not been able to get a win at Long Beach since 2002.
However, tonight’s game at UCLA presents the Bruins with a changed opponent.
“I think the Long Beach match was a turning point also of our season,” Klosterman said.
After losing in that game, the Bruins were much more successful in their five-game matches.
Even if the Bruins are a much better team now than they were when they faced Long Beach State at the end of February, the 49ers are the only team that has managed to beat No. 1-ranked Pepperdine.
There is trouble in paradise, however; Long Beach has lost its last six games. The Bruins are not letting that affect their preparation.
“No matter how many games they lose, they still beat us,” Klosterman said. “We kind of want to get revenge on them.”
Although the numbers are favoring the Bruins, at the end of the day, the 49ers could present a host of problems for UCLA.
The Bruins are hoping to get their revenge to string together their fourth straight home-court victory and send their seniors out on a high note.