Things have not been looking good for UCLA men’s volleyball as of late. The team has dropped six of its last eight games, lost three starters over the course of the season to injury and hasn’t won more than one set in a competition since March 1.
Taken at face value, these facts tell a tale of frustration and failure – but there’s more to the story. The season isn’t finished yet, and the Bruins maintain that they aren’t either. UCLA will begin its late season push for the playoffs when it faces Cal State Northridge Thursday on the road.
Despite losing at BYU last Saturday, UCLA thought they played at a high level against the current No. 2 team in the country.
“Even though we lost against BYU, I think we came together pretty good. I feel like that was the best volleyball we played in a while,” said redshirt sophomore middle blocker Trent Kersten. “I thought it was really good how we played and how we battled so I think that’s kind of taking care of itself.”
With only four games left in the regular season, it is officially crunch time for the Bruins. The team has fallen in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation rankings and will have to fight for a ticket to the conference tournament.
UCLA is ranked eighth in the MPSF standings and only eight teams make the postseason.
“I mean, we’re number eight right now,” said senior outside hitter Gonzalo Quiroga with a tone of heavy disappointment and slight disbelief. “The way to finish this season the best way possible would be winning the four games (left).”
Despite this daunting challenge, the Bruins aren’t pessimistic about their chances at advancing to the conference tournament. Before practice in Pauley Pavilion on Tuesday afternoon, the team’s tone was as it always is; the players joking with each other as usual.
“We’ve just got to get back to the nuts and bolts,” said sophomore middle blocker John Zappia. “We’ve just got to have fun out there. We’ll get the W’s if we have fun.”
The CSUN game likely won’t provide much of a challenge for the Bruins. The Matadors have won just seven games all season and their last matchup with the Bruins resulted in a 3-0 sweep for UCLA. The match will provide the team with a valuable opportunity to prepare for the final stretch of the season.
Their league record may be much different from what it was in January when the Bruins opened the season on a nine-game winning streak. The starting lineup might look quite different too. However, the team and its potential remain the same. Now is the Bruins’ time to prove it.