Wednesday, 3/5/97
Bruins squeeze past Lewis in tight five-game match
After tying 20 times, UCLA wins Game 5 tug-of-war
By Jennifer Kollenborn
Daily Bruin Contributor
UCLA walked the tight rope last night against Lewis University
and landed a sweet victory.
The Bruins (10-3 overall, 9-2 Mountain Pacific Sports
Federation) defeated the Flyers (14-4, 10-2 Midwest Intercollegiate
Volleyball Association) in a tight five game match 15-9, 6-15,
15-8, 14-16, 24-22.
The entire match centered around the tug-of-war in Game 5. The
game could have gone either way.
"I expected a really close game," UCLA head coach Al Scates
said.
The victor in Game 5 was up in the air as UCLA and Lewis
University appeared to be on the battle ground fighting to claim
each point.
The game started off with a kill by Brandon Taliaferro putting
the Bruins en route to victory. But, the Flyers were fired up and
came in strong as Scott Mebreuer spiked one right down the
line.
Then, Lewis handed the Bruins the next point as they were called
for a net violation and followed it up with a kill by Eric Simms to
tie the game at two.
The Bruins and the Flyers traded the next 39 points putting the
point-per-play game at a free for all.
The game was tied 20 times. After the usual game point at 15,
the two teams continued to slug it out with seven more tying
points.
At 16-15, Paul Nihipali spiked one cross-court, but then at game
point, Nihipali hit long. Lewis’ Victor Rivera tied the game at 17
with a kill but junior Tom Stillwell tied it at 18 with a block.
Ben Moselle’s kill tied the game at 19 and Nihipali tied the game
at 20 with Rivera’s spike tied the game at 21. Finally Moselle’s
kill tied the game at 22.
Then at 22-22, Lewis’ Doug McBride hit long, and Fred Robins
finally finished off the 23-minute set with a kill to end the match
at 24-22.
"You always think you are going to win it," Stillwell said. "You
never give up."
Stillwell led the Bruins in digs with 17. Nihipali spiked 47
kills putting him only 37 kills shy of UCLA’s all time kill record.
Moselle led the attack hitting .438 with 19 kills followed by
Robins at a .417 clip.
"It’s good to come out with this win," Stillwell said. "Now
we’re ready for Stanford. (This game) got us ready for a five game
match."
No. 5 UCLA hosts No. 3 Stanford this Friday at 7:30 p.m. in
Pauley Pavilion which will be aired by Lou Riggs and Kim Jagd live
on KIEV Radio (870 AM). The match will also be televised by Fox
Sports which will be aired on March 8 at 8 p.m.
The Bruins lead the series against the Cardinal 44-4 and have
defeated Stanford five consecutive times. The last time the Bruins
lost to Stanford was on March 12, 1993 at Pauley Pavilion.UCLA def.
Lewis 15-9, 6-15, 15-8, 14-16,24-22