M. volleyball: Men’s volleyball “˜up for a challenge’ against 49ers
By Sagar Parikh
March 11, 2004 9:00 p.m.
The last time the UCLA men’s volleyball team faced Long
Beach State, the Bruins were caught off guard by the 49ers’
lesser-known players.
Coach Al Scates has tried to make sure it will not happen
again.
“We overlooked some of their players in the last
match,” Scates said. “But we feel that we have learned
our lesson.”
No. 1 UCLA (17-3, 11-3 MPSF) comes into Friday’s game
riding a five-match winning streak, and the match against No. 3
Long Beach State (16-4, 11-3 MPSF) has major postseason
implications.
“We are both tied for second place in the
conference,” assistant coach Brian Rofer said. “And
this match has important ramifications in terms of securing home
court advantage for the playoffs.”
The match also marks the hopeful return of setter Dennis
Gonzalez. Gonzalez returned to practice Thursday after an MRI came
back negative.
“He still has an inflamed bursa sac,” Scates said,
adding that an evaluation would be made Thursday on the
setter’s ability to play.
In Gonzalez’s absence, backup Beau Peters has performed
brilliantly, starting in the Bruins’ last four matches and
leading them to victory in all four.
“Beau has really stepped up for us lately,” Scates
said. “His ability to step in for Dennis has been integral to
our success.”
The match is of special importance for Peters, as he is facing
his former team. Peters transferred from Long Beach State in 2003
when he was replaced by freshman All-American Tyler Hildebrand.
Hildebrand recently was named National Player of the Week and
leads a balanced attack for the 49ers, who have three players
averaging nearly double-digit kills per match.
Long Beach State is led by Scott Touzinsky, who had 28 kills in
the team’s last match against UC Irvine, and Jeff Wotton, who
had a team-high 15 kills in the last match against the Bruins.
“Their typical game plan is to spread the sets
around,” Scates said. “They make it difficult for the
blockers to key on a certain hitter.
“We are up for a challenge.”
