For the first time in two weeks, UCLA is no longer the
top-ranked men’s volleyball team in the nation.
The Bruins, who play UC Santa Barbara tonight at Pauley
Pavilion, received three first-place votes but are now No. 2
““ not that they particularly care.
“The only thing that matters is winning our last five
matches,” said coach Al Scates, referring to the number of
playoff victories likely necessary to win the NCAA title.
“That’s when our season starts.”
Until then, and in the wake of getting swept by Long Beach State
last week, possible lineup changes are in order for the Bruins
(11-2, 6-2 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation).
Senior opposite hitter Marcin Jagoda, who came off the bench to
replace a struggling Steve Klosterman in a 3-1 win over UC San
Diego on Saturday, slamming a career-high 23 kills and hitting
.462, could very well start tonight.
“He’s been like that in practice all the
time,” Scates said. “He’s ready.”
Jagoda also recorded nine digs and four blocks on the night.
Klosterman, who hit -.429 against UCSD, would move to outside
hitter, replacing junior Jonathan Acosta.
After Scates considered Acosta’s progress a week coming
off a bout with appendicitis, he will not suit up Wednesday.
“I looked, and he’s not ready,” said Scates,
adding that Acosta is 75 percent healthy and needs three more weeks
of practice to regain full strength.
Acosta had four kills, hitting .100 against UCSD.
Deposed starter J.T. Wenger, a senior, is also a candidate to
regain his spot opposite junior outside hitter Kris Kraushaar.
Sophomore Damien Scott will fill Acosta’s spot on the playing
roster.
No. 7 UCSB (8-4, 4-3) also had lineup changes in wake of a knee
injury to star opposite hitter and leading attacker Evan Patak.
Backup Mike Nelson notched a match-high 17 kills and hit .615 on
Friday in a sweep of USC.
Outside hitter Jake Wiens, who had 14 kills against Trojans, is
another threat for the Gauchos.
But UCLA is simply worried about itself right now, trying to
perfect its game before making its return to the playoffs in
April.
“We kind of had to take a step back and reassess (after
the loss to Long Beach State), but it’s all good,” said
senior middle blocker Chris Peña, who had a season-high 20
kills against UCSD. “I’m not dwelling. That’s for
sure.
“The No. 1 ranking this early is more of a curse. It gets
in everyone’s head whether it’s subconscious or not. I
always like being the underdog.”