Hawai’i to present strong test for undefeated men’s volleyball
Redshirt sophomore middle blocker Oliver Martin has tallied 35 kills on the season with a .394 hitting percentage. (Mackenzie Possee/Daily Bruin)
By Phil Share
Feb. 5, 2016 8:08 a.m.
Being perfect is not easy, but the UCLA men’s volleyball team has managed to preserve its unblemished record through the first 10 matches of the 2016 season.
The No. 1 Bruins (10-0, 6-0 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation), after four home games in seven days, will travel across the Pacific Ocean to take on No. 5 Hawai’i (8-1, 3-1) for a pair of matches against the Rainbow Warriors on Friday and Saturday nights.
Coming off of the dense stretch of home matches last week, coach John Speraw felt the team needed a small break to recuperate for the upcoming road trip.
“We really focused … (on) giving these guys some time off,” Speraw said. “So, we gave ‘em a few days off.”
UCLA still hit the gym for practice Wednesday night before its morning flight to Honolulu on Thursday.
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“Yesterday we had our first practice after a three-day break,” said redshirt sophomore middle blocker Oliver Martin on Wednesday night. “We just have to tighten up a little bit tonight, and then get ready for the two matches.”
As far as Hawai’i goes, the Rainbow Warriors will present a strong test for the Bruins. The MPSF rivals have been largely untested so far in 2016, but still hold a high rank in the national polls.
“They have some big guys that hit their serve hard,” Speraw said. “They had a great season last year, so they have some guys that are used to winning. Playing in the Stan Sheriff is always a challenge for opposing teams.”
Two season ago – the last time UCLA traveled to Hawaii for conference play – the Bruins were swept by the Rainbow Warriors. As Speraw said, the setting there is always tough for visitors.
“It’s gonna be a big environment for us,” said sophomore outside hitter JT Hatch. “We didn’t go there last year, so for a lot of us it’s gonna be new. It’s gonna be a big crowd; they’re gonna be pumped up to play us, and we just gotta bring our best game.”
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It will not be just the location that challenges the Bruins; UCLA will also have to contain Sinisa Zarkovic. Speraw called the senior outside hitter one of the best in the league.
“They play with such energy at home,” Speraw said. “We’re gonna have to travel, and deal with a little bit of the jet lag … and stay focused on what we need to do in order to beat that team.”
