After an inspired, victorious first game against USC at home
last month, the UCLA women’s volleyball team was riding a
wave of momentum. Then, USC outside hitter Bibiana Candelas took
over the match and almost single-handedly wiped out the momentum
that UCLA had been building. Candelas, a senior middle blocker for
the Trojans and an All-American the last two years, finished the
match with 26 kills and a .389 attack percentage. The Trojans went
on to dominate their next three games. As the Bruins prepare for a
rematch with the same USC team this week, they are determined to
limit Candelas’ production. In practice on Tuesday, UCLA
assistant coach Mike Sealy participated in team drills and
simulated Candelas’ role for the UCLA team to practice
against. “We’re trying to work on taking (Candelas) out
of the offense and key on her a little bit more,” coach Andy
Banachowski said. “We also need to do a better job of
blocking her. She’s a great hitter.” Candelas has
performed very well against UCLA throughout her career. In the six
matches she has played against UCLA since the 2002 season, Candelas
has hit above a .280 clip five times. In four of those matches, she
hit above .360. Her performance has been a big reason why USC has
been able to extend their winning streak against the Bruins to 10
matches.
REALIZING THE RIVALRY: In their first match against USC (the
first home match of the freshmen’s UCLA careers), not all of
the freshmen were able to fully comprehend what the rivalry between
the two schools means. One month later, they are starting to get a
better feel for the rivalry. “The whole school really gets
into it,” freshman defensive specialist Blair Socci said.
“We don’t want to let anyone down by losing to
them.” “It’s amazing how supportive everyone is
and how important the ‘SC games are,” freshman outside
hitter Kaitlyn Sather said. Sather stressed the impact the earlier
loss to the Trojans had on the UCLA team as particularly memorable.
“After we lost to them, it was just a miserable
feeling,” Sather said. “That was our first home match
ever.” “We’re really excited about this
match,” she continued, “and hopefully, we can turn it
around.”