UCSB edges out UCLA in tight game
By Daily Bruin Staff
Feb. 2, 1997 9:00 p.m.
Monday, February 3, 1997
VOLLEYBALL:
Bruins let lead slip, Gauchos take control of last two setsBy
Jennifer Kollenborn
Daily Bruin Contributor
The tug-of-war between UCLA and UC Santa Barbara ended in a
defeat for the Bruins Friday night.
The Gauchos (2-2 overall, 2-1 Mountain Pacific Sports
Federation) defeated UCLA in a close five-game match, 11-15, 15-10,
6-15, 17-16, 15-13, to hand the Bruins their first loss of the
season.
UCSB barely outhit UCLA .246 to .243 and only outblocked UCLA 16
to 14.5.
After winning two of the first three games of the evening, it
looked as if UCLA had the match won. However, in the last two sets,
Santa Barbara proved they had the drive to win.
"We had the confidence to win," UCSB’s Donny Harris said. "UCLA
gave us the sideouts and we took the advantage."
In the fourth game, Al Scates kept substitute Danny Farmer in
place of Adam Naeve and Farmer proved to be just what the Bruins
needed.
Farmer led the team in hitting with a .467 average and his kill
gave UCLA the lead of 10-8. But, the lead slipped from the Bruins
again when the Gauchos tied the game at 11, 12, and 13 behind
Robert Treahy, who led the Gauchos with an amazing 37 kills.
UCLA came back strong, as Paul Nihipali made three kills in a
row. But, just when the Bruins looked as if they had a victory at
match point, Nihipali hit wide. Consequently, there were 10 set
points for the Bruins before Santa Barbara tied it at 16-16 and
finished off the Bruins 17-16 when Nihipali hit wide again.
UCLA started off the game on a strong note, winning the first
point when UCSB spiked long. However, Santa Barbara tied it at one
with Treahy’s kill. This tie set the pace for the remainder the
game. Every point went back and forth, each team trying to take the
lead, but neither quite succeed until the finish. The match was
tied eight times throughout the final game.
At 13-13, the Gauchos took a timeout and stepped back out on the
court strong, winning the next two points in a row with a final ace
to give the Gauchos the victory.
