UCLA women’s volleyball prepares for final week of regular season
Sophomore outside hitter/middle blocker Claire Felix said that even though Friday’s regular season-ender at USC will be Senior Night, the team is still playing for the same reasons: each other. (Aubrey Yeo/Daily Bruin senior staff)
By Alexis Williams
Nov. 26, 2014 3:17 a.m.
As of now, the UCLA women’s volleyball team (19-10, 10-8 Pac-12) is ranked No. 17 in the nation and No. 5 in its conference. The team has the same conference winning percentage as Colorado, which is No. 6 in the Pac-12.
Losing a game could mean the team losing its standing in the conference and eliminating any chance of moving up in the ranks before the playoffs.
Starting off the last week of the regular season with a match against No. 22 Arizona State on Wednesday in Tempe, Ariz., and keeping NCAA championships on their minds, the Bruins said holding a ranking in the middle of the pack can be a tricky situation.
“They’re a really good team, and they’ve taken a lot of great teams to five (sets) in the Pac-12,” said redshirt sophomore outside hitter Haley Lawless. “The middle section of the Pac-12 is all very close, so it’s definitely going to be a tough game.”
Even one loss to another mid-ranked team could make a huge difference in the postseason.
While it’s almost guaranteed that the Bruins will end up placed in the top-64 teams nationally and earn a spot in the NCAA championship playoffs, their ability to place in the top-16 teams – and have the opportunity to host both first- and second-round matches – is completely dependent on the next three days.
“Obviously we’re expecting two wins this week, one game at a time,” said sophomore defensive specialist and libero Taylor Formico. “We’ve talked a lot about how at the end of the season, some teams kind of break apart and get frustrated with each other. It’s important to get the win because we only play ASU once.”
The Bruins have yet to face the Sun Devils (18-12, 8-10) this season, but their .500 record since the Nov. 6 match against Colorado leaves the team hungry for a week of victories to close out the season.
The last time UCLA played Arizona State in November 2013, UCLA hosted and lost 3-2, dropping the first match. However, when UCLA traveled to Tempe earlier last season, the Bruins swept the Sun Devils with a 3-0 win.
After traveling to Tempe, the Bruins will return home to host USC (14-14, 7-11) on Friday in the Bruins’ first and last home match in Pauley Pavilion this season. USC is currently experiencing a four-loss streak and will be fighting hard to avenge its 3-0 loss from the first crosstown rivalry match earlier this season. UCLA has a 5-4 record when playing at home.
“We always want to finish well. I’m pleased, and I think the team is pleased with how the regular conference season went. We just want to finish strong,” said coach Michael Sealy.
The Bruins will also be celebrating Senior Night on Friday and will pay homage to their seniors after what will be the last match the seniors will play in the regular season for UCLA.
“We think about the end of the season, but when we start playing, we’re playing for the same reasons,” said sophomore middle blocker and outside hitter Claire Felix. “We’re playing for each other no matter who we are. Whether you’re a senior or a freshman, you’re going out and playing as hard as you can.”
