Bruins ready to jump into action

Wednesday, January 13, 1999

Bruins ready to jump into action

M. VOLLEYBALL: NCAA champions will start defending 1998 crown
with league opener against UCSB

By AJ Cadman

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

946. 17. 1992. The significance of these numbers boggles the
minds of men’s volleyball players all throughout the nation. The
first is the number of coaching victories for UCLA men’s volleyball
coach Al Scates, a collegiate record. The second is the number of
NCAA championships claimed by UCLA. The final number signifies the
last time the Bruins failed to reach the NCAA final.

The defending national champions will open the 1999 campaign
Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Pauley Pavilion in their league opener
against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. Ranked No. 1 in preseason
polls, the Bruins return four starters from last year’s squad that
compiled a 28-4 record. They captured their sixth straight MPSF
Pacific Division Title and their fourth national title in six
years.

"We have a veteran squad. This team could be better than last
year’s team," Scates said. "We expect to win the NCAA
championship."

Junior All-Americans Brandon Taliaferro and Adam Naeve, and
senior captain and All-American Fred Robins also return after being
selected to the 1998 NCAA All-Tournament Team. Three year letterman
and dual sport athlete Danny Farmer will move from the grid iron to
the parquet floor and will most likely start in the quick hitter’s
position aside Naeve.

"(Farmer) will start if he looks as good as he did yesterday in
practice," Scates said. "He’s had a week off from football, and he
hasn’t lost a thing."

The Bruins lead the overall series against UC Santa Barbara
92-24. UCLA defeated the Gauchos on the road 15-13, 15-9, 15-10 on
Jan. 23 of last year. They followed with a bigger victory at Pauley
15-6, 15-9, 15-4 on Feb. 18 to improve to 11-0.

Last Saturday, the Bruin Alumni game was held last Saturday in
the John Wooden Center. Led by UCLA all-time kills leader Paul
Nihipali, the all-star lineup defeated the current squad 15-11,
15-10, 15-11. Nihipali notched 19 kills and 10 digs to lead all
scorers.

After the UCSB match, the UCLA men’s volleyball team will
participate in the 35th Annual Elephant Bar and Restaurant
Collegiate Invitational.

Held at UCSB on Jan. 15 and 16, this 16 team tournament will be
an early indicator of the Bruins’ success.Daily Bruin file
photo

Adam Naeve spikes the ball after a set-up by Brandon
Taliaferro.

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