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Women’s volleyball begins 2021 season with 8 new players

Senior outside/opposite hitter Mac May and UCLA get set for two games against California, kicking off an unprecedented, conference-only regular season schedule for the Bruins. (Daily Bruin file photo)

By Lexi Grimes

Jan. 21, 2021 2:08 p.m.

After a unique offseason, the Bruins are ready to tackle the upcoming season with a new appreciation for the sport and a new team.

No. 22 UCLA women’s volleyball ended last season with a loss to Wisconsin in the second round of the NCAA tournament and finished with an overall record of 19-12. Since then, the Bruins lost five members of the 2019 team, and replaced them with eight new recruits.

While the usual women’s volleyball season begins around the end of August, the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed back the start of the 2020-2021 season to late January. This has given UCLA more time to prepare for the new season, although coach Michael Sealy said the safety restrictions placed on the Bruins have made it difficult to practice as a team.

“You have to change the definition of what prepared is,” Sealy said. “You’re not going to be as prepared as you’ve been in the past, (because) you’re not going to have had the same opportunities.”

With COVID-19 restrictions in place, UCLA’s preparation for the season might have differed from years past, but the amount of work the Bruins put in to maximize their performance on the court hasn’t changed.

Senior outside/opposite hitter Mac May said the team has taken full advantage of all the time they had to practice together.

“In the fall, we worked really hard to get back to somewhat normalcy,” May said. “In the last few weeks leading up to the season, we have been working super hard.”

While continuing to prepare for their season, the Bruins are well aware of the additional challenges playing during a pandemic will cause. Sealy said that nonetheless, UCLA continues to remain optimistic and is looking forward to having the chance to play again.

“We’re just trying to be thankful that we get to move forward,” Sealy said. “We’ll figure it out as we go.”

COVID-19 restrictions also mean that there has been less time for the eight recruits to become acclimated to the culture of the team. Despite the limited number of meetings, the new Bruins have already begun to make their mark on Sealy’s squad.

“They might be newcomers, (but) they are making a huge impact on the team,” May said. “(They are) really elevating the players in the gym.”

Freshman outside/opposite hitter Allison Jacobs – one of the eight new recruits – shared some of the same sentiments as May when reflecting on her integration into the team.

“The returners were unbelievably welcoming,” Jacobs said. “They were ready to embrace us and start a new culture.”

When asked what she was most looking forward to in her final season as a Bruin, May’s answer was simple.

“Just playing,” May said. “I’m just super excited to have another season.”

UCLA will begin its season Friday with a 2 p.m. home match against California, followed by another match against the Golden Bears on Sunday at noon.

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Lexi Grimes | Sports reporter
Grimes is currently a Sports reporter on the men's soccer beat. She was previously a contributor on the beach volleyball, men's soccer and women's volleyball beats.
Grimes is currently a Sports reporter on the men's soccer beat. She was previously a contributor on the beach volleyball, men's soccer and women's volleyball beats.
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