Trust and confidence propelled the Bruin pack to a decisive fifth set against the Boilermakers – but ultimately, it fell short of concocting a win.

In its third match of a four-game cross-country voyage, UCLA women’s volleyball (8-8, 2-5 Big Ten) traveled to West Lafayette, Indiana, for a duel against No. 10 Purdue (14-4, 5-2) at the Holloway Gymnasium. The Boilermakers, facing the Bruins for the third time in program history, ultimately called checkmate 3-2 on Thursday afternoon.

“We’re battling well and dominating against some of the best teams in the country,” said coach Alfee Reft. “It’s a bright spot, but (it) also can be a little bit frustrating, because we know that we’re in a position to win these matches.”

A 4-0 run that included two aces from graduate student defensive specialist and libero Kate Reilly propelled the Bruins to a 15-12 lead in the first set. Junior outside hitter Cheridyn Leverette connected on six of seven attacks to catapult the Bruins to an 18-13 lead, before Leverette and graduate student middle blocker Anna Dodson combined for four straight kills to clinch the first set.

With the Bruins’ attacking force in motion, Leverette boasted a .846 hitting percentage heading into the second frame. Leverette also notched a career-high 29 kills at the conclusion of the five-set battle.

“A lot of things are cooking for us defensively,” Leverette said. “We’re connecting on many levels, and it was one of our most cohesive games we’ve had this season. I was super proud of that aspect.”

But in the crunch – a place the Bruins have struggled this season – the team began to blunder. After leading 24-19, the Boilermakers went on an 8-1 run to take the second set 27-25 – cemented by outside hitter Chloe Chicoine chipping the final point.

The Bruins were unable to regain control in the third set, presenting the lowest hitting percentage all match at .188. With the Boilermakers creating a five-point lead to conclude the frame, the fourth set was the Bruins’ final chance to turn the table.

After erasing a four-point deficit, UCLA found itself equalized at 10-10 in the fourth set. Errors accumulated from the opposing side as the Bruins won the fourth set by six points on 14 kills and six blocks, forcing a fifth frame.

“In between those third and fourth sets, we already knew, ‘This is going to five,'” Leverette said. “We had a lot of a lot of belief and trust in each other, and confidence was a big thing.”

Another piece on the Bruins’ side of the chess board was Anna Dodson, who reached a .500 kill percentage against the Boilermakers. Graduate middle hitter Leilani Dodson also etched her mark on the leaderboard with four blocks.

Anna Dodson said focusing on failure recovery in practice contributed to the team’s ability to make pivotal shifts throughout the game.

“Volleyball is a huge game of going back and forth,” she said. “It’s done a good job of focusing back to our purpose and why failure and recovery is another part of that.”

In the fifth and final set, each piece moved into combat on both sides of the net. However, a challenge call from the Boilermakers broke a potential 3-0 run and comeback effort for the Bruins, who lost the frame 15-11. A final kill from Purdue middle blocker Lourdès Myers achieved checkmate.

Anna Dodson said that individually and collectively, the team continues to explore its potential on the court.

“We’re digging deep and revisiting our purpose,” she said. “We are still forging ahead to have it work in our favor and have that quintessential moment where (we feel), ‘This is what we’ve worked for.'”

Reft added that each match is a step toward fostering the team’s full potential.

“We’re going to keep plucking away at it and find ways to get to the other side of this so we are finishing these matches off,” Reft said. “I’m always proud of our kids, the fight they have and their efforts in these matches.”