There are two more matches left in the season and one playoff spot still unclaimed.
The UCLA men’s volleyball team has this weekend to clinch the final playoff in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
“Winning will be the big focus,” senior Sean O’Malley said. “It’s important we win the next few games and play quality volleyball.”
Currently, the No. 9 Bruins (13-14, 9-11 MPSF) sit in eighth place in the conference. If they win both games on back-to-back nights of the road trip, and UC San Diego loses to Long Beach State, the Bruins could move up to the seventh seed.
One win, however, locks up a playoff berth for UCLA, and the team hopes to get it done right away this evening in Stockton against the University of the Pacific.
The Tigers (3-26, 0-20) have had a dismal season, to say the least. Pacific enters the match with eight straight losses, losing 23 of its last 24 matches and looking for its first home conference win of the season.
UCLA beat Pacific at Pauley Pavilion in four sets on Feb. 6 to extend the series record to 26-1 in favor of the Bruins. Despite what history has shown and how Pacific has played this season, UCLA will not take things lightly with a playoff spot within reach.
“It shouldn’t be too hard to win, but we take everyone seriously,” O’Malley said. “We haven’t had that good of a season. I don’t think we will have a drop in focus or mentality.”
Pacific has three hitters who have an attack percentage over .300 ““ redshirt freshman middle blocker Sean Daley (.376), junior setter Mark Bauhs (.365) and senior middle blocker Joe Forbes (.331).
The Bruins had a very emotional last game in Pauley Pavilion, taking USC the distance and beating it 19-17 in the fifth and final set.
“I think the whole team is very positive,” O’Malley said. “It’s definitely a big win. We haven’t beaten enough good teams. Every time we have got close.”
UCLA is looking to ride the momentum from upsetting the No. 5 Trojans into the final week of the regular season.
The lineup was shuffled in the game against USC, allowing the seniors to start in their last home game in Pauley Pavilion. This weekend will be back to business with the regular starters.
“We have a solid starting rotation,” O’Malley said. “Everyone knows their role and knows what we need to do. If we’re capable of playing good volleyball then that’s all we need.”