It seems like a blink of the eye.
With only a two-week span to recuperate from its narrow five-game loss to crosstown rival USC, the fourth-ranked men’s volleyball team (8-3, 5-2 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) must quickly turn around and face the No. 11 Trojans (5-6, 4-4) again.
UCLA will face USC tonight at 7 p.m. at Pauley Pavilion.
So far, the Bruins seem to have bounced back just fine and appear prepared for the rematch.
After falling to USC on Jan. 23, UCLA has rebounded by overtaking Pepperdine, Cal Baptist and UC Irvine with a renewed sense of determination.
“We’re playing good volleyball right now and we’ve been able to correct some of the mistakes we made in that short period of time,” quick hitter Jamie Diefenbach said. “We have some momentum from our last couple wins.”
An unusual scheduling pits the rivals against each other twice with only a small break between the matches, meaning only minor adjustments have to be made since the last time they played.
But the Bruins and Trojans have gone in somewhat different directions since their last meeting.
UCLA has overtaken two of its biggest competitors of the season, going 3-0 since the loss to the Trojans, whereas USC has lost its last two matches.
The rivalry game at the Galen Center was most definitely a turning point for the Bruins.
“It was extremely disappointing (to lose),” Diefenbach said. “(But) you have to move on. No one’s forgotten it, but we’re moving forward and prepared for a new game. We have a new chance to set the record straight.”
After falling into a two-game hole against the Trojans two weeks ago, the Bruins seem to have hit the ground running, while never looking back.
They have managed to keep a hold on their opponents and are looking to continue that trend tonight so USC does not run away with a commanding lead again.
“I’d like to get out of the blocks a lot faster than we are now,” coach Al Scates said. “We need to change our attitude in the first game. If we can have the intensity we show at the end of matches throughout the match, it would be very helpful.”
And the fire is already in the eyes of the players.
“We’re confident in each other and in our team to perform well,” Diefenbach said. “We’re very excited for this challenge coming up.”
FORMER BRUIN TO BE HONORED: Former Bruin middle blocker Jeff Nygaard will be honored at tonight’s match. UCLA will retire Nygaard’s No. 9 jersey before UCLA takes on USC.
Nygaard was a four-time All-American and two-time player of the year, leading his team to three NCAA championship matches and winning two titles.