UCLA men’s volleyball encountered a number of challenges last season, such as injuries and fluctuations in its starting lineup. One challenge the Bruins did not face was the task of playing an international team.
This season, UCLA has already faced and defeated two Canadian universities, Alberta and Laval, in season-opening exhibitions before regular season play.
“We knew that Alberta was a very good team, so I think our guys came in quite motivated to play a high-level volleyball match and obviously pretty excited about the new season,” said coach John Speraw.
While the Bruins will not face teams from other countries throughout MPSF and NCAA competition, adapting to different styles of play and learning to make in-game adjustments based on an opponent’s game plan are skills applicable to any team.
“It’s definitely tricky (to play an unfamiliar team). We plan for the teams that we play in league, we know a lot about them and we’ve played them for a long time,” said sophomore setter Hagen Smith. “Going up against a team like (Laval) you gotta learn on the fly.”
Last season, UCLA already had past experience playing each of its opponents, giving the team an edge due to its ability to prepare game plans for countering that school’s specific offensive and defensive tactics.
“One of the big things that we do is watch video so going into the match we see tendencies and see the players,” said sophomore outside hitter Jake Reeves. “We had no video so we really had no idea – so you have to focus on your side first and then just respond. I think we did a good job.”
Heading into the 2015 season, the Bruins are facing numerous unpredictable circumstances. Three starters from last season have graduated, and certain team members have moved into different positions.
Last season saw the collegiate careers of Robart Page, Gonzalo Quiroga and Spencer Rowe come to a close, leaving UCLA with major holes to fill at the outside hitter and middle blocker positions in its starting lineup. After losing now-junior setter Steve O’Dell to an ankle injury midseason and being forced to bench Page due to similar ankle issues, Speraw spent much of the latter half of the 2014 season having to get creative with his lineups.
Having trained for the unexpected with two exhibitions against unknown teams, UCLA is on the right track to handle more adversity throughout the season.
With contributing reports by Tanner Walters, Bruin Sports contributor.