Standing in the shadows, playing for a title
UCLA middle blocker John Speraw is more concerned with the NCAA
crown than individual attention
By Eric Branch
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
"If we were all determined to play the first violin we should
never have an ensemble. Therefore respect every musician in his
proper place."
ÂRobert Schumann, composer
As he enters the twilight of his fifth year in the UCLA
volleyball program, John Speraw knows exactly how it feels to go as
recognized as background music.
After spending his first year as a redshirt and enduring three
successive bench-filled seasons in obscurity, Speraw finally earned
a starting position this, his senior, year.
However, despite the newfound status, Speraw has not exactly
moved to the front of the orchestra. When you play on the No. 1
ranked (26-1) UCLA volleyball team, you become accustomed to
playing second fiddle.
In order to stand out you have to outshine one AVCA Player of
the Year, two other All-Americans and two All-Conference
selections. In other words, you can begin to feel like the third
baseman who played with Tinkers, Evers and Chance or the guy who
batted fifth behind Ruth and Gehrig.
But in an era when words such as "team" and "winning" have been
overshadowed by
images of helmet waving after six-yard buttonhooks and
finger-pointing following routine kills, Speraw is a breath of
fresh air.
"Coming to UCLA and waiting was something I expected," Speraw
said. "But when I was being recruited I kept hearing that if you
come to UCLA you’re almost guaranteed to win a couple national
championships. That’s how I made my decision."
After being named a three-time All-American at Arcadia High and
being named to Volleyball Monthly’s Fab 50 list, it might have been
easy for Speraw to make his decision based on a desire to remain
big man on campus.
However, Speraw made his decision to win, realizing that Bruin
head coach Al Scates had an affinity for huge middle blockers.
Standing just 6 foot 5 inches, Speraw is Lilliputian by college
volleyball standards.
"Al has always loved big guys in the middle," setter Stein
Metzger said. "So there has always been an emphasis on middles and
size. But John has made it because he has always worked as hard or
harder than anyone on the team."
Even Scates, who still maintains a soft spot for 7-foot middles,
appreciates Speraw’s sacrifice.
"If you are a small middle blocker you really have to work hard
to succeed in college volleyball," Scates said. "John knew that and
has had a great work ethic from day one. I’m sure he has been
frustrated but he’s never pouted. I think most guys would have quit
instead of waiting for their chance  but John just kept
working."
While Speraw has earned a starting spot in the middle after four
years of dedication, he is not exactly Rudy in volleyball shorts.
It takes some degree of athleticism to hold a .425 career hitting
percentage.
Relying on volleyball knowledge, quickness and a fast arm swing
 Speraw ranks among the top 20 in the nation in hitting
percentage (.410) while ranking second on the Bruins in blocks.
Impressive numbers. Some might even say All-American.
"Actually I think all six players on our team could be named
All-Americans but that’s not going to happen," Speraw said. "But I
could seriously give a rat’s ass (about being named). It would be
nice, but right now my only goal is to win a national
championship."
A large part of Speraw’s desire stems from the memory of last
year’s upset loss to Penn State in the NCAA final. Having an East
Coast team hold the title aloft was tantamount to a Buccaneer Super
Bowl trophy.
While Speraw started seven matches last season, a back injury
effectively ended his battle with senior Tim Kelly for playing time
in the middle. For him, having to watch the Penn State debacle from
the bench was a bit like watching his own funeral.
"After I was injured, my main focus was getting the national
championship," Speraw said. "When that didn’t happen it was so
crushing  not because I wasn’t playing but because I wanted
to win so bad. Even though I wasn’t on the court I felt the pain as
much as anybody."
While pain may not be the correct emotion to describe it, Speraw
does confess to a slight feeling of frustration when examining his
role. However, those feelings are largely overshadowed by a chance
at being a part of greatness.
"I think about it sometimes when I look at other teams and the
guys who get recognized for them," Speraw said. "I start thinking
I’m just as good if not better than him. But then I realize how
fortunate I am to be on a team like this. People are saying this
could be the greatest team of all time.
"To win a title with these guys would be the greatest honor I
could receive."