Despite position changes, men’s volleyball still winning

After a long weekend in Hawaii, men’s volleyball coach Al Scates gave a day off to his traveling squad last Monday. But three players, including junior Sean O’Malley, treated it like a practice day nonetheless.

And the extra time and effort paid off.

“I kind of joked at the airport that I was going to come in on Monday and pass,” said O’Malley, who recently made the switch from opposite to outside hitter. “And they were like, “˜Yeah, go pass.’ So I went in on Monday and passed balls because it’s been about a year and a half since I’ve been in serve-receive.”

The No. 4 Bruins (4-1, 2-0 MPSF) handily defeated their competition this weekend, No. 5 Stanford and unranked Pacific, thanks in part to O’Malley’s return to the lineup.

UCLA took down the Cardinal in four games Friday 30-19, 24-30, 30-24, 30-18, and swept the Tigers Saturday 30-25, 30-21, 30-27.

“I decided I was going to go with Brett Perrine at opposite and I didn’t want to stockpile two good players at one spot,” Scates said. “So we checked (O’Malley) out, and his left-side hitting has been spectacular.”

Against the Cardinal, Jeff Woodley, who impressed the coaches and his fellow teammates with his play against Hawai’i and throughout the practice week, was given the start at outside hitter. As the redshirt sophomore began to struggle against the Stanford defenders, Scates did not hesitate to bring in his new left-side convert.

O’Malley relieved Woodley in Game 2 and promptly slammed down five kills on the night at a .400 clip.

“Sean played great,” said middle blocker Jamie Diefenbach, who had a phenomenal weekend himself, hitting .750 against Stanford. “We always knew he could hit the ball, but now he’s starting to pass well. We’re really excited that Sean’s playing so well at the net.”

On Saturday, O’Malley was rewarded with a spot in the starting lineup and responded by spiking 12 kills, tying his career high, and leading the team in digs with 10.

“I’d have to question that statistic, that’s so surprising,” O’Malley said of his digging against the Tigers.

With the new passing responsibilities that come with the job of being an outside hitter, O’Malley has readjusted quite well. He had played on the left side throughout his high school career at River Forest High School (Ill.) and in his freshman year at UCLA, but digging and service reception is something he has had to become reacquainted with quickly.

So far, so good.

“I noticed he made a few good digs moving laterally and low,” Scates said. “His positioning is good; he’s getting in the right spot.”

In addition to O’Malley’s performance, the Bruins’ victories were helped in large part by the team’s improved blocking. UCLA outblocked its opponents 15.5-6.5 and 11.5-6 the two nights, led by Diefenbach’s 13 blocks and fellow middle blocker Weston Dunlap and setter Matt Wade, who both contributed seven roofs.

“We struggled a bit in Hawaii, but I think we’re doing a whole lot better following the game plan,” O’Malley said. “We’re making good reads on the setters. Our middle blockers are getting good moving laterally, so we’re getting solid blocks up.”

UCLA will continue its four-match home stand Thursday against UC San Diego and Friday against Long Beach State.

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