Every time the UCLA men’s volleyball team needed an answer this season, it has turned to its strengths in hitting. The Bruins returned to this familiar formula Sunday night when they outhit the USC Trojans .372 to .306 with a team-high
15 kills from Gonzalo Quiroga and 10 kills from Robart Page in a 3-0 sweep.
Last week the Bruins topped the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation in hitting percentage with .344 and claimed sole possession of the top ranking in the nation for the first time this season, but were swept by the No. 3 Pepperdine Waves Wednesday after hitting a season-low .110.
“I just wanted to get back to playing high-level volleyball,” said coach John Speraw. “We really had a tough night versus Pepperdine. I was interested to see how we would come back.”
Despite recent success, this was not unfamiliar territory for UCLA. The Bruins’ previous lowest hitting percentage was .252 in their season-opening loss to Stanford, after which the Bruins launched their season-long nine game win streak behind strong hitting from senior outside hitters Page and Quiroga.
The defeat at Pepperdine was UCLA’s first loss to an MPSF opponent, but the Bruins bounced back in three straight sets against USC in the Galen Center.
“We were super locked and dialed in from the start,” said junior libero Ian Sequeira. “You’ve just got to take it one point at a time. … I think we capitalized on that.”
No. 5 USC has a recent history of upsetting highly-ranked teams after shocking No. 2 Loyola of Chicago 3-1 earlier this season, but No. 1 UCLA also had history on its side having swept last season’s series against the crosstown contender.
“We want to take advantage of our opportunity to put on the UCLA jersey and represent our school,” said redshirt sophomore middle blocker Trent Kersten.