A game of close calls ended in the favor of the opponent.

UCLA women’s volleyball (7-6, 1-3 Big Ten) hosted Michigan (13-2, 3-1) for its third home game of the season Saturday night in Pauley Pavilion. The Bruins took the Wolverines to five sets, but the home team ultimately lost 3-2, marking its fifth loss in seven games.

Every time the Wolverines scored, the Bruins answered right back – in the first set, the margin only stretched beyond three points once.

Despite a powerful kill by freshman outside hitter Kiki Horne and a block by graduate student middle blocker Anna Dodson late in the first frame, the Bruins fell just short, losing the set 26-24.

“That first set was very fast, so we just took a minute to collect ourselves,” said junior outside hitter Cheridyn Leverette.

In the second frame, the Bruins launched an early three-point run, prompting a timeout from the Wolverines, who were down 7-2. But the Bruins maintained their momentum and remained steadfast, even as the Wolverines fought back.

“It all just came down to looking each other in the eyes, taking a big reset,” Leverette said.

The dynamic duo of graduate student middle hitter Leilani Dodson and graduate student setter Audrey Pak ultimately delivered, securing the Bruins’ first set win of the night, 25-19.

“She (Pak) just puts me in really good situations,” Leilani Dodson said. “That makes it super easy, so I feel really confident and makes me able to focus on what I see.”

The third set was an extension of the second, defined by close plays and tight saves. Junior outside/opposite hitter Grayce Olson helped the team get toward set point and delivered to clinch the third frame 25-23. Junior outside hitter Cheridyn Leverette also made a significant impact, recording 16 kills Saturday – tying with Olson for the highest Bruin total.

“It’s about showing up the same way every time,” Leverette said. “And taking space first, and then plays will follow, instead of waiting for a good play to happen before you take space.”

The Bruins have a reputation for taking their opponents to four sets or more, and this match was no exception. Despite six losses on the season, the Bruins have only been swept once.

Michigan quickly established dominance in the fifth set, racing to a 5-1 lead. While a trio of consecutive blocks from the Bruins solidified their defense, it wasn’t enough to secure the winner-take-all set. After dropping the fourth frame 25-19, UCLA fell 15-13 in the fifth.

The Wolverines had a total of 11 aces compared to the Bruins’ six, courtesy of the Wolverines’ opposite/outside hitter Valentina Vaulet, who matched the Bruin total on her own.

“They have a really wicked server on their team, probably one of the best in the country,” said coach Alfee Reft.

Both the Bruins and Wolverines showcased defensive stats, with similar numbers in assists and digs. Yet, the Bruins outshone their opponents with 18 blocks compared to the Wolverines’ 10.

“They (the Bruins) handled the ball pretty well,” Reft said.

The Bruins are set to face off against Washington in Seattle on Wednesday at 8 p.m.