Bruins set for weekend’s tournament at UC Irvine

  MIKE CHIEN Senior outside hitter Matt
Komer eyes the dig against Team Canada in November. UCLA
will play in the UC Irvine Tournament this weekend.

By Daniel Miller
Daily Bruin Contributor

After a slew of successful exhibition matches this winter, the
men’s volleyball team will face a trio of first-class
opponents in the UC Irvine Tournament today and Saturday at
Crawford Hall in Irvine.

The Bruins, ranked third in the Volleyball Magazine poll, face
UCI today, and USC and Pepperdine on Saturday. Last year UCLA
finished with a record of 24-8, while UCI finished 13-13,
Pepperdine 14-9 and USC 13-9.

“They are all good teams,” junior outside hitter
Cameron Mount said. “While Irvine is an underdog they are
still a force to be reckoned with. There is still a rivalry with
USC but it’s not as big as in other sports ““ they are
just another good team we are going to beat.”

UCLA head coach Al Scates said USC’s effectiveness would
hinge on its passing abilities. All-American outside hitter Brook
Billings is a player to watch, as he is the current league-leader
in kills per game.

Second team All-American Erick Helenihi and Monte Tucker are two
formidable players for the Anteaters.

“UCI has a lot of talent from Orange County, which is a
hotbed for volleyball,” Scates said. “With Helenihi and
Tucker they will be a good test for us.”

For many of UCLA’s younger players the tournament is the
first time they will be playing in front of such a large crowd as
Bruins.

“I’m very excited to play in the tournament,”
freshman setter Jimmy Sepulveda said. “I’m getting
ready to play against USC ““ I like the rivalry, the trash
talking, and I can’t wait for it.”

Pepperdine brings a veteran squad of hitters to the tournament,
and has a talent in leading blocker and second team All-American
Brad Keenan, making it a strong blocking team.

“Their assistant coach says their setters will be
good,” Scates said. “They will come out fast with
hitters in place.”

UCLA freshman outside hitter David Russell and sophomore outside
hitter Jesse Debban recently suffered a sprained ankle and a knee
injury, respectively, and will play in the tournament if they are
able to practice effectively beforehand.

According to Scates, the Bruins’ strength is their
unpredictability.

“Our team passes very well, so the setters can get it to
the hot hitter easily,” he said. “For example, our
opponents don’t know if they are going be facing Mount or
(senior outside hitter) Matt Komer.”