Senior opposite Nick Vogel’s performance helped push UCLA to victory against Lewis.
It was the tale of two matches for the Bruins. After Saturday’s struggles against UC Irvine on defense and hitting percentage, the men’s volleyball team flipped the script in its 3-1 victory over Lewis, nearly doubling its hitting percentage to .400 and holding the Flyers to just .135.
The first two sets went back and forth, with UCLA and Lewis trading points and wins, the Bruins (3-1) taking the first set 27-25 and the Flyers (1-2) winning the second 25-23. It was in the third set, however ““ the same crucial set that UCLA failed to win against UC Irvine ““ that the Bruins finally gained separation, opening with six straight points and winning 25-15. From there, they didn’t look back, taking the fourth and final set 25-18.
Coach Al Scates credited the offensive improvements to an unlikely player.
“We put Nick Vogel at opposite (hitter) and that gave us another attacker,” Scates said. “He played really well ““ blocked well and hit well. That was what helped us hit .400. We didn’t have an opposite (hitter) to put the ball away on Saturday.”
Vogel subbed into the game midway through the second set and played so well that Scates was compelled to start him for the third and fourth sets. Scates said he would also start today against Springfield College.
Vogel, playing out of position, finished with seven kills on nine attempts and brought instant energy to the Bruins’ offense.
“I wasn’t expecting to head into the game at that position,” Vogel said. ” We have such good competition at that position already. We have two starters who do a great job, so it was great to come in and feel the energy on the court a little bit.”
Vogel wasn’t alone on offense, though. Redshirt senior outside hitter Jeremy Casebeer followed up his strong performance against UC Irvine with a career-high 16 kills while redshirt senior quick hitter Weston Dunlap finished with 12.
Sophomore outside hitter Gonzalo Quiroga and senior quick hitter Thomas Amberg added 11 and eight kills, respectively.
“We have all of the best hitters in the country at all positions,” senior setter Kyle Caldwell said. Caldwell finished with 45 assists.
While the improved offense was key in the victory, the Bruins’ stellar defense was also an important factor.
UC Irvine was able to notch a .343 hitting percentage against UCLA, but the Bruins stepped it up Thursday, holding Lewis to a dismal .135 hitting percentage.
“We blocked really well tonight and I think blocking well puts opposing hitters out of their rhythm,” Caldwell said. “It was an overall good effort.”
Vogel shared his teammate’s sentiments about their defensive play.
“I think the experience we have as a team is going to make us better defensively throughout the year,” Vogel said. “Defense is the type of thing that you have to keep cohesive and you have to know who’s where on the court. We’re at the point now that we have a very senior-heavy team that has played a lot together as well as younger players that are quick to learn what their roles are. So I think the cohesion as a team and experience has brought everyone together to play well.”
That experience helped the Bruins win the first game of the Outrigger Hotels Invitational and get their momentum rolling as league play approaches.