With a pair of conference matches against Brigham Young University looming this weekend, the UCLA men’s volleyball team is taking advantage of almost a full week of practices before heading to Provo, Utah. After winning all three of its matches in the UCSB Asics Invitational last weekend, the team has been able to prepare for its toughest opponent so far in the young season.
“It helps quite a bit to have that opportunity to train and actually get in some really good practice – focused practice – is really important,” said coach John Speraw. “Our season, typically, doesn’t allow us to do that very often. But when you have the opportunity to play BYU that week it gives you an opportunity to train.”
With those extra practices, the Bruins (3-0) have been keeping the location of their upcoming matches in mind.
“We practice heckling training, we vigorously get after each other and try and knock each other off focus,” said sophomore middle blocker Mitch Stahl. “We’ve also been working on serving the ball differently because of the altitude in Provo. It affects the serve a lot and makes the ball sail.”
Traveling to play No. 7 BYU, however, has left No. 4 UCLA with no success in recent years. The last time the team was able to bring a victory home from Provo was in 2010 when they split a pair of matches. This season, the Bruins hope to stop the drought at five years.
“I’m a third-year, I’ve lost to BYU every time we’ve played there and it really grinds my gears,” said junior setter Steve O’Dell. “I’m looking forward to going out there and giving it all we’ve got.”
UCLA started the season with two exhibition wins and an undefeated UCSB Invitational. The team was able to get some victories under its belt and Speraw spent the Invitational experimenting with the lineups in preparation for the rest of the season. Now, the team will see if this week’s practices were preparation enough for the atmosphere of conference play.
“It definitely brings out the competitive edge of everyone,” Stahl said. “Games are a lot more intense and the rivalry is heightened whenever we play in Provo.”