Wednesday, April 3, 1996
By Ruben Gutierrez
Daily Bruin Staff
Only two teams have taken a match from the No. 2 UCLA men’s
volleyball team all season, and the Bruins will host the rubber
match against one of them, UC Santa Barbara, tonight at Pauley
Pavilion. A strong performance against the No. 6 Gauchos is
especially critical with postseason play less than three weeks
away.
"This is a big week for us," UCLA (17-3 overall, 12-2 Mountain
Pacific Sports Federation) head coach Al Scates said. "UCSB beat us
rather easily in league when we played them up there. They are a
really good team We can really gauge how well we’re doing by how
well we play against them."
UCSB (11-7, 9-5) features a slew of talented hitters led by
opposite hitter Donny Harris. Though Harris averages nearly seven
kills per game for the Gauchos, he was not a factor the last time
the two squads met. While Harris was neutralized in that match, his
backup, Jeremy Darner, bruised the Bruins with 27 kills.
"There are a lot of good hitters on that team," Scates said.
"Last time we took their best hitter, Harris, out of the match and
they still beat us. Their big middle blocker, Rob Treahy, had 20
kills last time. Darner had 27 and he did that mostly by hitting
under the block."
Like UCLA, the Gauchos have relied on the leadership of a
veteran MPSF setter. Todd Rogers’ court awareness and precise sets
enabled UCSB to take advantage of all of their offensive
firepower.
"Rogers moves the ball around real well," Scates said. "He also
has a really good jump serve."
The jumper in Rogers’ arsenal figures to be used often tonight
and helps make the Gauchos one of the toughest serving and digging
teams in the conference. According to Scates, UCSB could be the
best team in the country in those areas.
Playing in only their second match since March 13, the outing
figures to be a much-needed primer for the Bruins with the
postseason quickly approaching, especially after a not-so-stellar
showing in a three-game sweep of No. 13 USC. Blocking was a big
concern for the Bruins in that game.
Ironically, blocking is the one area in which the Bruins will
have a more decided advantage than in their last meeting with the
Gauchos. Freshman quick hitter James Turner returns to the lineup
from an ankle injury to form one of the best blocking duos in the
conference along with sophomore Tom Stillwell.
Opposite Paul Nihipali and setter Stein Metzger will be
instrumental in the outcome of the match. Both earned All-American
recognition last year and are sharper than tacks heading into the
season’s home stretch.
"Paul Nihipali and Stein Metzger have carried this team so far,"
Scates said. "Stein is playing real good right now. His jump serve
is working and he’s a threat out at the net also. His setting is
going well and so is his blocking. This match will be a good test
for us. We need to start peaking soon."
ANDREW SCHOLER/Daily Bruin
James Turner’s return to the UCLA lineup will give the Bruins
added depth as they take on UCSB tonight.