After an exhausting search for a consistent libero, UCLA men’s volleyball coach Al Scates did not expect to have more problems replacing players lost to injury.
Now without two of their top middle blockers ““ sophomore Weston Dunlap and freshman Nick Vogel ““ the Bruins will look for the depth of their bench to step up tonight.
Coming off a tough road loss to No. 7 Long Beach State, the No. 8 Bruins (2-4, 1-2 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) host much-improved UC San Diego (1-3, 0-2) in the first match of a four-match home-stand.
Though the Bruins have lost to the Tritons just once in their 34-match history, Scates maintains that UCSD is a solid team. This is not the same Triton team that has been at the bottom of the MPSF in recent years.
“They are a very good team,” Scates said. “They just went five (sets) against Cal Baptist, who usually wins the NAIA.”
Despite having a number of players out, Scates will not stray from his game plan.
“We’re not going to experiment,” Scates said. “We are looking for a serious match against those guys.”
The Tritons offense is led in kills by redshirt sophomore Will Ehrman’s 42 kills and 3.00 kps. Junior outside hitter Jason Spangler is the team’s most efficient hitter averaging 3.20 kps.
Spangler, one of the four Tritons who posted double digit kills, led both teams with 30 kills in last season’s matchup.
A win tonight is especially critical for the Bruins, since they will have to play the entire academic quarter without their starting libero, sophomore Thomas Hastings.
Earlier in the season, Scates said his plan was to get by in the regular season and get into the MPSF playoffs, by which time Hastings will have regained his academic eligibility. From there, the Bruins will be able to field the team that earned the preseason No. 2 ranking.
The opposite position, with which the Bruins had problems most of last season and on Wednesday night against the 49ers, may be a concern for Scates tonight.
Freshman opposite Kyle Caldwell, who Scates says is also the team’s best blocker, was hitting poorly against the 49ers and was not able to play the rest of the match. Scates also inserted redshirt freshman Jack Polales and senior Ryan Ratelle into the lineup, which was something of a revolving door for the Bruins.
Scates added that his team needs to strengthen that position to create more attacking options.
Though the Bruins have been dealing with the loss of Dunlap for several matches this season, the absence of Vogel brings questions as to who will start at middle blocker.
Scates added that Dunlap’s injury will not be evaluated until Tuesday, and he is unsure whether Vogel’s injured thumb is broken or just badly sprained.
“We have some good middle blockers,” Scates said. “Maybe (Thomas) Amberg will start. … We just have to have somebody to take D.J. (Stromath’s) spot.”
The Bruins also have the reliable play of junior outside hitter Garrett Muagututia to fall back on. Muagututia currently leads the team in sets played, digs, aces and solo blocks, and he is tied for second in total kills.