Thursday, for the second time this season, No. 18 UCLA will be facing the No. 1 team, not only in the Pac-12, but in the country – Stanford.
When the Bruins (17-8, 8-6 Pac-12) traveled to Stanford (24-0, 14-0) more than two weeks ago, they held their own against the undefeated team, losing the match 3-1, but not without 12 total lead changes and 30 tied scores.
This time, when it is finally the Bruins’ turn to host, not only will they have the support of the familiar blue and gold fans in the stands, but also two weeks’ worth of practice and more attention to their defense.
And, in this matchup, it is likely that the result could come down to UCLA’s defense.
Stanford’s middle blocker Inky Ajanaku is currently ranked third nationally for her 0.448 hitting percentage, only two spots higher than her teammate 6-foot-8-inch middle blocker Merete Lutz.
“They have two really good, really big girls so we’ve been practicing some shifts,” said junior defensive specialist Rachel Inouye. “Our coaches will imitate one or the other of the two girls during practice, and we will try to practice and play against what they hit.”
But UCLA boasts its own set of titles. Despite Stanford’s setter Madi Bugg leading the NCAA in number of assists per set for individual players, UCLA still tops the list of highest assists per set as a team. And with offensive players like senior outside hitter Karsta Lowe, who has won numerous Pac-12 weekly awards and averages a nation-high 5.95 kills per set, UCLA just may see its first major upset of the season.
“This last weekend we had a great match against Colorado, we didn’t play our best against Utah, and it’s about just trying to find that feeling again – what does it feel like to win?” said coach Michael Sealy.
Heading into its second attempt to upset the still-undefeated Stanford, UCLA aims to bring up its hitting percentages and dig deep against Stanford’s guaranteed hard hits. While the Bruins have already demonstrated their prowess as an offensive team this season, this home match will give the Bruins’ defense another opportunity to climb the ranks.
“There won’t be much nerves,” said junior defensive specialist Karly Drolson. “Our team is ready to compete and battle. We had two really good practices this week, so we’re really ready to beat them.”