So far, the UCLA women’s volleyball season looks completely different from the last.
This time last year, the Bruins had recently fallen from No. 23 after defeating Oregon State to unranked after losing to Arizona. Now, the Bruins maintain a No. 19 ranking and have four Pac-12 victories to their name – much improved from the 1-5 Pac-12 record they had this time last year.
Heading into this season, the team sought to redefine itself and earn its spot back into the NCAA championships after failing to qualify last season for the first time in 17 years.
So far, the statistics seem to be shaping up in the Bruins’ favor. It seems the team has only one thing left to do to completely turn this season around: a two-game week shutout against Pac-12 teams.
UCLA (13-5, 4-3 Pac-12) has already set the stage for success. After a victory against Oregon Wednesday, the team is halfway to their two-game series win and only need to defeat the unranked Oregon State Beavers (13-4, 3-3) on Friday to close out the series.
“We just need to be honest,” said coach Michael Sealy. “We need to figure out who and what we are and try to be as consistent with that every single night.”
The Beavers, who dropped all three sets to Oregon last month, have been on a losing streak against the Bruins for over 10 seasons. With the Bruins coming off a victory with players like senior outside hitter Karsta Lowe, who set her career high for kills last match, it seems they have set themselves up for a victory.
“We have more power (this season),” Lowe said. “We’re really in sync, and that helps a lot.”
Senior setter Julie Consani, who transferred from Cal State Fullerton, topped off her season-high assist count with 59, and may be the addition the Bruins need to finally close out a Pac-12 week-long series.
“We just focus on playing our game,” Consani said. “We take it one game at a time.”