Men’s volleyball sweep former Bruins, showcase new talent in annual alumni game
Men’s Volleyball
UCLA 4
Alumni 0
By Benjamin Kelly
Oct. 24, 2011 12:34 a.m.
The time is now for the UCLA men’s volleyball team, a senior-heavy squad with all the pieces needed to be a top force this year.
The team has been preparing for its ultra-competitive season that begins January, and Saturday’s straight sets win in their annual alumni game gave an interesting glimpse into how things have developed.
In a lighthearted and low-pressure afternoon, the Bruins took on the alumni team, a group of former UCLA volleyball players.
The current UCLA team was quick to take control of the first set, and redshirt sophomore outside hitter Matt Hanley led the group to a 25-22 win. Hanley led the Bruins in kills and aces, and his performance showed how much he will be contributing to this year’s offense.
UCLA’s former stars were able to keep things interesting, staying within reach throughout the match. Several impressive rallies drew applause from the crowd, and there were a few friendly taunts between the two teams. The alumni kept the Bruins on their toes but fell 22-25 and 15-25 in the following sets, then dropped the final set 22-25.
With two of their starters away competing in the Pan Am Games, the Bruins were able to play many new faces.
Coach Al Scates loves what he has seen from redshirt freshman outside hitter Kene Izuchukwu so far.
His explosive jumping ability and powerful hits have the potential to be headache-inducing for UCLA’s opponents.
Izuchukwu was just as quick to compliment the legendary coach, who will be leading his Bruins for the last time this year before retirement.
“Everybody who knows volleyball loves Al Scates,” Izuchukwu said. “To be on the team the last year he’s coaching is an honor. We look forward to giving him another championship.”
But standing between Scates and this ultimate goodbye gift, a 20th NCAA title, is the competition of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, a league crammed with the nation’s best.
USC haunted UCLA last year, ultimately knocking them out of the playoffs after two regular season wins, and other dangerous teams fill the Bruins’ schedule. To come out on top, they might need a new attitude.
“We’re gonna be a more aggressive team this year,” redshirt senior outside hitter Ryal Jagd said. “We need to work for those dirty points, and win the ugly battles more than we did last year.”
Last year, it was a different player every night who stepped up and led the offense in kills, and this year’s team looks to have the same impressive depth.
With an abundance in quality blockers, Scates has been puzzled over how to most efficiently utilize his players. Scates believes that senior opposite hitter Nick Vogel, redshirt senior quick hitter Weston Dunlap and senior quick hitter Thomas Amberg are all too good not to start, so the coach has been forced to juggle.
“We have probably the three best blockers in the league, all in the middle,” Scates said. “We’re going to spend all fall with Vogel training at the opposite position.”
The team has the SAC Tournament this November as another benchmark to see how Scates’ adjustments will pay off. There will then be time to prepeare until January, when the official schedule begins.
