It was a fitting end for a Bruin team nearing the end of its season Tuesday night, as senior outside hitter Ali Daley, recorded a match-high 20 kills and smashed a cross-court kill to seal the match for the Bruins.
The No. 10 UCLA Bruins (19-10, 8-9 Pac-10) defeated the No. 23 Pepperdine Waves (20-7, 8-6 West Coast Conference) on Tuesday night in front of 792 people in Pauley Pavilion.
After dropping the first set 22-25, the Bruins responded by sweeping the next three sets, dominating the Waves 25-20, 25-19 and 25-22 with serving and blocking.
In addition to out-hitting the Waves .235 to .185, the Bruins out-blocked their opponents 14 to four and had five service aces to the Waves’ one.
Coaches and players cited the Bruins’ slow start to a lack of energy.
“I just didn’t think we had our focus at the start of the match,” coach Andy Banachowski said. “We were a little lackadaisical in our preparation, and I think it showed.”
Banachowski added that the team improved as the game progressed.
In the fourth set, however, the Bruins struggled. Down at one point 15-10, the Bruins were unable to sustain their attack. But thanks to a late-game rally, the Bruins pieced together their serving and attack and took the set.
The Bruins opened the match with only nine kills on 46 swings to the Waves’ 20 kills on 49 swings. But in the second and third sets UCLA was able to increase its hitting percentage.
In another exhausting match for the team’s go-to hitter, Daley began the match taking five swings in the very first point to begin a 65-swing match. The senior was one swing shy of tying her career high of 66 swings.
“I don’t mind at all,” Daley said of constantly being on the attack. “If I am the go-to hitter, then that’s my role, and I have to step up and take it.”
Daley added that she will take the next two days off from hitting to rest her arm for Friday’s match against No. 11 USC.
The Bruins will take on the Trojans in Pauley Pavilion in UCLA’s senior night on Friday. Senior outside hitter Ali Daley, libero Jessica Fine, outside hitter Laura Holloway, defensive specialist Jade Machado and setter Nellie Spicer will be honored before their last home match.
Players and coaches echoed one word about Friday’s match: pumped.
“It’s kind of emotional, but at the same time I am happy we’re playing ‘SC (at the end of the season),” Daley said. “I am going to savor every moment of it.”
“There is always so much on the line when playing the Trojans,” Banachowski said. “Getting a win will boost our spirits quite a bit, and we really look forward to ending our season with a Pac-10 win.”
Because the Bruins have not defeated a single team ahead of them in the Pac-10 standings, Friday’s match will be their final chance to impress the seeding committee and finish in the top half of the conference.
“Ending the conference (season) on a win is going to show that we can push further and get into the (NCAA) Tournament,” freshman defensive specialist Lainey Gera said.
Since their nine-match winning streak