Thursday, February 20, 1997
M. VOLLEYBALL:
USC outhit, outblocked by fired up BruinsBy Jennifer
Kollenborn
Daily Bruin Contributor
The sweet smell of victory filled USC’s North Gym last night
bestowing head coach Al Scates with his 900th victory, as UCLA
defeated the Trojans, 15-9, 4-15, 15-5, 15-6.
Scates was all smiles as he walked across the court, being
followed by an entourage of camera men and reporters.
"I feel a little relief," Scates said. "But, now, let’s get on
towards 1,000!"
"It feels so good to beat USC," freshman Brandon Taliaferro
said. "(Al Scates) doesn’t say much, but you know he’s excited. He
was definitely more fired up."
The Bruins shut down USC’s attack by outhitting the Trojans .326
to .238, and outblocked USC, 13-7.
"We came out fired up," senior captain Paul Nihipali said. "We
always get up for USC, and we especially wanted the win tonight for
Al."
The Bruins’ hitting and blocking proved they wanted the victory,
which boosted their record to 6-3, 5-2 in the MPSF.
Sophomore Danny Farmer led the attack, hitting an amazing
.500.
"Danny’s great offense wouldn’t (allow USC to stop) us," Scates
said. "He came in the second game and sparked us."
UCLA dominated Game 1, leading at 4-2 with Nihipali’s kill,
followed by two consecutive kills by Taliaferro.
USC (6-5, 5-3) gained momentum at 7-6, as UCLA hit wide twice in
a row. Then the Bruins stepped up and with Taliaferro and Tom
Stillwell’s blocking duo, the Bruins took a 13-8 lead. Then Adam
Naeve’s ace finished it off.
Stillwell and Taliaferro tied for the team lead in blocks at
8.
USC dominated UCLA in Game 2. The Trojans took the lead from the
beginning at 2-0. USC dominated the middle with Donald Suxho.
In Games 3 and 4, there was no question as to who the victor
would be. UCLA swept both games from the beginning, dominating both
of them throughout.
UCLA’s win gave the Bruins their ninth consecutive victory over
the Trojans since 1994, while raising UCLA’s series advantage over
USC, 67-28.
The Bruins will next host Long Beach State on Friday at Pauley
Pavilion.
GENEVIEVE LIANG/Daily Bruin
Al Scates coaches his 900th victory in Wednesday’s game against
the Trojans.
UCLA def. USC,
15-9, 4-15, 15-5, 15-6