UCLA proves too strong for Long Beach

Monday, February 9, 1998

UCLA proves too strong for Long Beach

VOLLEYBALL Team has new intensity after lukewarm USC
performance

By Grace Wen

Daily Bruin Staff

It was indeed a tough end to a long week of play for Long Beach
State. The 49ers suffered their second loss of the year to a No. 1
team.

Amidst the bright lights and jeering fans, the UCLA men’s
volleyball team swept the 49ers 15-11, 15-11, 15-8 in front of
1,748 at the Pyramid, the third largest crowd in Long Beach State’s
history.

A very different UCLA team took the floor against Long Beach
State Saturday night. Gone was the lethargic, unenthusiastic team
that played USC on Wednesday night. In its place was a team that
was fired up and ready to go.

The look of intensity in each player’s eye was unmistakable.

"We came out strong," UCLA captain Tom Stillwell said. "We were
ready to play. We knew they were going to be a tough team. Last
time we played here, we lost in three quick games so we knew they
were going to be tough and they were going to be tough here so we
were ready for a big challenge. I think we got up in every game, we
got the lead and we kind of let down for a little while but I think
we had a big enough lead to keep it going and win all three
games."

In game one, the intensity was obvious as UCLA (8-0, 5-0
Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) scored the first five points
and never looked back. Although Long Beach (7-2, 2-2) clawed its
way back to make it 11-10, a key substitution by UCLA head coach Al
Scates helped UCLA pull away. Junior Fred Robins was inserted into
the match to replace a struggling Mark Williams. Robins’ effect was
immediately felt as he dug three balls and hammered a kill. Four
hitting errors by Long Beach would end game one.

"The bench really helped us out," Scates said. "We were
struggling a lot in the first game with Williams in some passing
trouble. Freddy came in, passed great, made several big digs to
straighten us out and pull us through that one."

Game two began much like game one with the Bruins jumping out to
a 7-2 lead. Setter Brandon Taliaferro would be instrumental in the
first three points of the game with a block and two kills for
points. The Bruins would increase their lead to 11-5 when a
substitution by Long Beach brought the 49ers back into the
game.

Senior Ryan Mariano came off the bench to spark a 5-1 run that
would bring Long Beach within two. But it wasn’t enough as UCLA
closed out game two with a mishandled ball call on outside hitter
Scott Faber and two stuff blocks by Taliaferro and Tom Stillwell to
punctuate the game. Stillwell would finish the night with five
blocks, 11 kills and a .471 hitting percentage while Taliaferro
would record 56 assists, three kills and three blocks.

Although the 49ers scored the first point in game three, it
would be their only lead of the night since the Bruins fired off
the next seven points.

Long Beach seemed to fall apart and communication came to a halt
as UCLA scored points off of several broken plays. The 49ers
inability to pass UCLA’s jump serves kept the offense from finding
any sort of rhythm.

Meanwhile, sophomore Evan Thatcher found his groove as he spiked
eight of his match-high 16 kills during the game.

The Bruin block also dominated as it forced player after player
to hit the ball out. It appeared as though UCLA had all the
momentum as it increased its lead to 11-3. But like the first two
games, the 49ers would rally to frustrate the top-ranked Bruins
before finally succumbing in the end.

"We were playing like freshman," Long Beach head coach Ray
Ratelle said. "We were making mistake after mistake after mistake.
(We were) tentative half the time. We played scared out there.
Maybe we’re asking too much out of them but I don’t think so. I
think we are capable. We are capable. But the last two nights we
certainly haven’t showed it. We played two really great volleyball
teams and we played tentative. We played scared and we made tons of
mistakes. We just have to get better."

Although Long Beach outblocked UCLA 15-12 in the match, the
Bruin block came alive when it counted. As a team, UCLA recorded
five blocks in game three to hold the 49ers to a .262 attack
percentage while hitting at a .417 clip. The Bruins held Gaby Amar,
Long Beach State’s leading hitter to just 11 kills with 8 errors
for a .125 clip. It was obvious the 49ers lacked firepower as the
team hit only .194 on the night.

"This is the best we’ve blocked," Scates said. "We block better
than everybody every year so this year I wanted to do some other
things. I wanted to get some digging to go along with it but it
doesn’t work. I have to go back and have a solid block and the
digging comes. To hell with the digging. I’m just going with the
block. We’ve got to dominate the net like we always do and tonight
we did it."

UCLA dominated despite the fact that its best player was having
an off-night. Sophomore Adam Naeve suffered second degree burns
after Wednesday night’s match against USC and did not practice for
two days. Though he started the match, he saw limited time as Danny
Farmer came off the bench to replace him.

"We didn’t know if he could play or not," Scates said. "He was
not on his game and I didn’t want to hurt him so we took him out.
Danny played great. I thought the backcourt subs contributed when
they came in. They got points every time they came in. It was a
good team win."

GENEVIEVE LIANG/Daily Bruin

Danny Farmer hits the ball in a match last week. Farmer has been
a big contribution off the bench.