Rich Nelson sets up UCLA victory over Pepperdine

By Diamond Leung
Daily Bruin Senior Staff

Rich Nelson was a bit giddy in the postgame huddle. Following an
exhilarating five-game win, the junior setter couldn’t wait
to celebrate. His setting had affirmed UCLA’s position atop
the polls.

He eventually emerged with his index finger held high and soaked
in the moment.

“This win is special. We’re the best team in college
volleyball,” Nelson said.

With 66 set assists Thursday night, Nelson set his team to its
eighth straight victory ““ this avenging its only loss.

No. 2 Pepperdine, with all six of its starters jump serving, had
made things difficult for Nelson a little less than a month ago.
The Waves served and swept the Bruins off the court that day.
Nelson was off-balance.

Thursday, Pepperdine continued to show off its serve,
registering eight aces. But Nelson was flawless in the rematch.

“Nobody brings it like Pepperdine does,” UCLA head
coach Al Scates said. “Rich had to scramble around to set,
but he still set the ball where the hitters wanted it. I was very
happy with him.”

In Game 5, the Bruins over-passed a blistering serve, and the
ball was heading over the net. Nelson, with his fingertips,
acrobatically tipped the ball back to sophomore Chris Peña,
who rocketed the ball to the floor for the kill.

Nelson pranced around the court, pumping his fists. The dandy of
a set gave the Bruins match point.

“I pulled that one out of my butt,” Nelson said.

“Rich was really good tonight,” Peña added.

Peña would know. The burly middle blocker tried setting
himself a couple of times, misfired each time, and drew the evil
eye from his coach.

“I have to work on it ““ alone in the gym,” he
said.

Nelson, meanwhile, set his team to a .329 hitting clip with
three rookie hitters on the court and kill leader Jonathan Acosta
out of action.

“I give credit to the hitting and (sophomore libero) Adam
Shrader’s passing,” he said.

At least one outside observer, however, wasn’t buying the
modesty.

“Just print it. Rich is the man, Rich is the man,” a
fan said.

Nelson grinned. He knows he’s the man, all right. The man
who sets the table for the top team in the nation.