The men’s volleyball team faces the Trojans tonight one
last time, but it is not worried.
UCLA stands at the most critical point in its season; every game
determines its playoff standing.
Nevertheless, the Bruins remain confident enough at least for
tonight’s match at USC’s Lyon Center.
“We had the best practice of the year (Monday), and if the
dance class hadn’t come in at 5:30, we would have kept on
going,” men’s volleyball head coach Al Scates said.
“There’s no quitting on these guys.”
UCLA (13-12, 8-10 MPSF) holds the last position, eighth, in the
conference tournament.
“It motivates us to play harder now that we need to win
all four games,” senior captain and setter Rich Nelson said.
“It’s also going to be the last time I get to play
against USC.”
While the Trojans are switching Joao Grangeiro’s role from
libero to outside hitter, the Bruins will also be mixing up the
starting positions.
Instead of starting freshman Matt McKinney at opposite, redshirt
junior Marcin Jagoda will start. Redshirt junior J.T. Wenger will
also take the court for the Bruins.
Following the loss of senior quick hitter Scott Morrow after his
finger injury during the game against Northridge, Paul Johnson and
Matt Shubin will play as his replacement.
“I’m excited about the possibilities tonight,”
Shubin said. “We’ve felt pretty good in practice, and I
hope I can contribute something new to the team.”
Saul Zemaitaitis, who impressively came off the bench in the
Northridge match, is competing for outside hitter along with Jesse
Debban.
The uncertainties of a jumbled starting lineup may help the
unranked USC squad, but the Bruins must take the match seriously as
they have to win their remaining matches to guarantee playoff
standing.
“In terms of the next few matches, we’re focusing on
our side of the net,” Scates said.
“Though,” he added, “if we lose to USC,
we’re pretty much out.”