For the third time this season, No. 2 Cal State Northridge shut down No. 8 UCLA.
The Bruins (1-3, 0-1 MPSF) dropped their conference opener at Pauley Pavilion to the Matadors (4-0, 1-0 MPSF) in only three games (18-30, 27-30, 22-30) last night.
As in its two previous matches, Northridge easily handled UCLA.
“Overall, it was disappointing,” redshirt freshman Jack Polales said. “It’s hard to look at it any other way when you lose in three.”
Thus far this season, the Bruins have struggled to find consistency, in part because of their lack of a libero.
But aside from the lingering lineup situation, the Bruins hurt themselves by tallying 21 serving errors.
The UCLA offense did not fare any better, registering an attack percentage that ranged from a dismal -.033 to .345 in the course of the three games.
“We started five freshmen,” coach Al Scates said.
“We will get used to playing in here as we always do and we will get a lot better,” Scates said.
The Bruins stayed close to the Matadors in the first game until a long scoring drought put them down 14-20. From there, UCLA never recovered, and Northridge marched on to a decisive 18-30 victory.
The Bruins responded with a strong run in the second set. The surge allowed the home team to inch within a few points of Northridge before finishing just three points behind in the 27-30 set.
The Matadors put the match away with ease in the third set.
The Bruins were unable to fight off a dominant Matador team, trailing heavily the entire set before eventually falling by a tally of 22-30.
But according to Scates, there were bright spots to look upon. Opposite hitter Polales posted a .346 attack percentage to go along with a team-leading 13 kills.
“Jack Polales looked good,” Scates said. “He’s only played two matches for us, and it looks like he can play.
“He hit out of the backcourt really well, and he was our best hitter,” said Scates.
With another tough game coming up against No. 9 UC Santa Barbara on Friday, UCLA has their work cut out for them.
Even through the struggles so far this young season, Scates feels that he has the answers to solve UCLA’s problems.
“This team can’t go anywhere but up,” Scates said.
“Our job is to peak at the end of the season; I know how to do that, and we’ll be playing a lot better.”