At the beginning of the year, the Bruins were acclaimed for
their senior-laden starting lineup.
For much of the season, however, that lineup never came to
fruition due to injuries and suspensions.
But on Senior Night, a night celebrating the accomplishments of
the seniors, the Bruins finally had the lineup and leadership they
had envisioned all along.
Senior outside hitter Heather Cullen returned to the lineup
Saturday in her first match since Oct. 15 as UCLA swept Oregon
30-16, 30-24, 30-17 before 2,330 fans at Pauley Pavilion on
Saturday.
The sweep over the Ducks was preceded by UCLA’s sweep over
Oregon State on Friday 32-30, 30-24, 30-24.
Saturday’s match was especially important for Cullen, who
had been hampered by injuries all season long, but was able to make
it out onto the court with her fellow seniors on Senior Night.
“It was so great to be out there,” Cullen said.
“I had worked so hard to come back, and it was just a really
fulfilling experience.”
In their final regular season home game, Cullen and fellow
seniors, including libero Chrissie Zartman, outside hitters
Brittany Ringel and Brynn Murphy, and setter Krystal McFarland,
were honored in a pre-game ceremony.
“These girls have been the core of our program the last
few years,” UCLA coach Andy Banachowski said. “It will
be very difficult for us to lose them.”
“They were one of the most special senior classes in
recent history.”
The five seniors may have not experienced the type of year they
expected with all the unexpected obstacles that have come to
characterize this season, but on this night, it didn’t seem
to matter much to the players.
“After all we have gone through this season, it was just
great to have everyone here,” McFarland said. “It was
an awesome experience.”
With the Bruin seniors eager to end their careers at Pauley with
a win, the Ducks seemed to have no chance from the beginning on
Saturday.
UCLA took the early lead in the first game 8-0 and never looked
back, winning 30-16.
The Bruins hit for an astounding .484 hitting percentage in the
first game, seemingly inspired by their family and friends in
attendance.
“It was a great start to have all the seniors
together,” Banachowski said. “They played in a great
rhythm and it was an example of how successful we can
be.”
Now with all the seniors back on the court and sophomores Becky
Green and Colby Lyman, and junior Nancy Barba also leading the way,
the Bruins are expecting to finish out the regular season on a high
note.
The Bruins now move on to face the Washington schools this
weekend, finishing the regular season this Saturday against No. 1
Washington, a team that is 23-1 on the season.
“Our season all points to this weekend,” Banachowski
said. “If we win out, we should host the first two rounds of
the playoffs and get some momentum going into the
postseason.”