UCLA d. UCSD 26-30, 30-21, 30-23,30-17
By Daniel Miller
Daily Bruin Contributor
The men’s volleyball team knew it would happen ““ UC
San Diego almost always takes a game off the Bruins. While the
Bruins swept the Tritons in the teams’ first contest this
year, UCSD got their game against the Bruins Saturday night at
RIMAC Arena before losing 26-30, 30-21, 30-23, 30-17.
“In the first game San Diego played great,” UCLA
head coach Al Scates said. “They hit well and played
flawlessly. We dominated the match after we lost the first
game.”
The top-ranked Bruins (9-1, 4-0 MPSF) are a banged-up bunch,
with four injured players. Freshman outside hitter Gray Garrett sat
out against the Tritons (1-7, 0-6) with a high fever and will
return to action soon. However, it is unknown when the Bruins will
see the return of sophomore outside hitter Jesse Debban (hairline
fracture in his shin), freshman outside hitter Jonathan Acosta
(abdominal strain), and freshman outside hitter Brennan Prahler
(shoulder injury).
These injuries gave younger players the opportunity to play a
great deal against UCSD. Freshman outside hitter David Russell
continued to be a solid role player, posting six kills. Sophomore
outside hitter Parker Smith played the last three games, and
finished with nine kills, an ace and four blocks.
In addition to those kills, Smith garnered praise from Scates
for his play against the Tritons.
“It is great that a lot of people are getting
looks,” senior outside hitter Matt Komer said.
“It’s good that younger players are getting experience
early in the season.”
Komer had a team-leading 13 kills, while sophomore quick hitter
Chris Peña had 11 and junior outside hitter Cameron Mount
contributed 10. Junior setter Rich Nelson had 48 assists.
“I think we played well considering the injuries,”
Peña said. “It was a sloppy match. After UCSD won the
first match we took over, but they were a nuisance.”
The Tritons were led by Jim Waller and Chris Mortimer, who had a
match-leading 18 kills and a match-leading 14 digs,
respectively.
“We aren’t used to playing small defensive teams
like UCSD,” Komer said. “That is why we were
lackadaisical at first.”