In past years, the UCLA-BYU men’s volleyball matchup has been critical for UCLA.
In 2008, after building some mid-season momentum with a three-match winning streak, the Bruins were swept in Pauley Pavilion by the Cougars, prompting UCLA coach Al Scates to call a team meeting in the locker room immediately after the loss. The Bruins came back the following night to easily take the Cougars in four sets.
In the 2009 season, with UCLA visiting Provo, Utah, for a weekend against BYU in the midst of losing four of the last five road matches, Scates was pleasantly surprised to see his players stun their hosts with a four-set victory, but the Bruins lost the following night. They still took the momentum from their road victory to finish the season strong and solidify a berth in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament.
Tonight, with No. 4 Brigham Young (5-2, 3-1 MPSF) coming to town and No. 6 UCLA (3-4, 2-2) coming off its dethroning of then-undefeated Cal State Northridge last week, the Bruins are looking for more of the same against BYU.
“We had such a breakout game (against Northridge), and we’d really like to play at that level this weekend,” Scates said. “If we do that, we’re going to be a very good team.”
Sophomore quick hitter Nick Vogel said blocking will be essential this weekend.
“Blocking is a huge thing,” Vogel said. “Defense all around. BYU is a good blocking team, so we have to be sure to cover the block.”
UCLA’s block has been woeful early this season but dominated CSUN last week. The Bruins are still last in the MPSF in blocking with just more than two per set, while BYU is in first with 3.59 blocks per set.
Last week’s performance against CSUN, Vogel said, may be evidence of things to come for the Bruins but does not mean they are where they want to be this season. “I think it’s a great indicator that we can be a great team, but it doesn’t make us a great team, just winning that one match,” Vogel said of last week’s sweep. “We need to keep up the intensity and work hard.”
Redshirt senior quick hitter Brett Perinne agreed, adding there is a lot more season ahead of the team.
“It was a big win for us but we know that it’s not going to make our season,” he said. “It’s a lot more games, only our fourth game of the season. We have about 20 or so more games.”
Standing in the way of UCLA is BYU’s dominant pair of quick hitters in sophomores Russell Lavaja and Futi Tavana, who are fifth and sixth in the conference in blocks per set, respectively.
BYU, Scates added, relies on senior outside hitter Andrew Stewart out of the back row, who leads the team with 108 kills and four per set.
And with an entire week to prepare for BYU, Scates said he is spreading out how he installs this weekend’s game plan, which primarily focuses on maintaining the team’s high level of blocking after the CSUN win.
Injury update
Sophomore setter Kyle Caldwell who has been suffering from a swollen ankle since Jan. 14 will be available to play Friday. Redshirt junior outside hitter Dylan Bowermaster was suffering from shin splints this week at practice and primarily played libero.