Before leaving for Oahu, UCLA men’s volleyball coach Al
Scates said teams rarely beat Hawai’i in the second match
there.
“We are an exception, of course.”
Scates made that declaration at the end of the weekend, after
the Bruins flipped the precedent on its head when they defeated the
Warriors 3-1 Saturday to avenge Thursday’s 3-2 loss.
UCLA’s win snapped Hawai’i’s 10-match winning
streak.
The first of the two matches saw the No. 2 Bruins relinquish a
2-1 lead as the Warriors picked up the last two games to win the
match, 26-30, 30-28, 25-30, 30-26, 15-9. With the score tied at 7-7
in the fifth game, UCLA outside hitter Damien Scott served what
Scates said was an ace, but referees called the ball out.
That was the turning point in the game, after which Pedro
Azenha’s excellent serving netted five points for the No. 1
Warriors (11-3 overall, 8-2 MPSF) en route to the victory.
“I have never seen anyone serve so well in the fifth game
of a match anywhere in the world, and that was it,” Scates
said.
Despite the loss, the Bruins (13-3 overall, 8-3 MPSF) came away
with new knowledge of the Warriors’ game, and studied an
abundance of film Friday in preparation for Saturday’s
rematch.
“Fortunately it rained almost the entire time, so we were
inside looking at tape and practicing in the gym,” Scates
said.
The Bruins said watching tape paid dividends ““ and it
showed in the box score, as UCLA soundly beat Hawai’i, 30-15,
21-30, 30-27, 30-23.
“We decided we were not going to hold back,” senior
opposite Marcin Jagoda said. “That’s what we did in
game one, and that’s what we are capable of doing.”
The Warriors’ 15 points in the first game was
Hawai’i’s lowest total ever in a game since rally
scoring was put into use in collegiate volleyball.
A large part of the Bruins’ stellar effort in
Saturday’s match was the play of senior quick hitter Chris
Peña, who had six blocks and 10 kills. Scates said Peña
put on his best blocking performance ever on Sunday.
“Hawaii had two guys on him all night, and he played truly
outstanding,” Scates said.
In the third game, the Bruins battled back from a 20-23 deficit
with strong serving and blocking.
“We blocked like we know we can block,” Jagoda said.
“When we control the net, not too many teams can beat
us.”
Scates utilized his bench in both matches, and little-used
sophomore Scott played well both days. On Saturday, he finished
with nine kills, an ace and three blocks.
“(Scott) made some outstanding digs in the first
match,” Scates said. “He upped his play tremendously.
In the second match he came in and he just played great. He stuffed
the ball once straight down and he was so far over the net the
rebound came under the net to our side, and the referee ruled it
was their point.”
In Saturday’s match, UCLA hit .314, served nine aces and
recorded 10 total blocks, while limiting Hawaii to a .241 hitting
clip. Freshman outside hitter Steve Klosterman led the Bruins with
15 kills.
The Bruins relished the chance to play in front of 7,305 fans at
the Stan Sheriff Center ““ Hawai’i’s largest crowd
of the season. No one heard the fans more than Peña, who was
the target of most of the audience’s jeers.
“I was doing my own thing; it’s just another perk of
playing there,” Peña said. “They made me a target,
and I’m easy to hate. But it’s all in good fun over
there. Some big Hawaiian guys might not like it, but as long as you
avoid them, it’s OK. But afterwards, it’s all
congratulations.”
The UCLA men’s volleyball team resumes play Wednesday,
when defending national champion Lewis visits Pauley Pavilion.
Lewis defeated UCLA in five games in the teams’ one
meeting last season.