Back-to-back losses against the Beach put the Bruins’ three-peat hopes in jeopardy – the team hadn’t lost consecutive matches in either of their recent championship campaigns.

But since then, the Bruins have yet to lose.

Instead, UCLA men’s volleyball rides a four-match winning streakinto its MPSF opener, taking on No. 10 Stanford for a two-match series at Pauley Pavilion beginning Thursday and continuing Friday.

The Bruins have bested the Cardinal five straight times since 2022, sweeping them four times.

UCLA’s attack had its most efficient match of the season against then-No. 16 UC Santa Barbara on Friday, sporting a .535 hitting percentage despite the absence of Ido David – who suffered an ankle injury during warmups.

In place of the senior outside hitter/opposite, redshirt sophomore opposite David Decker and freshman outside hitter Sean Kelly combined for 14 kills and a collective 0.375 hitting percentage.

“UCLA has always been known for great depth,” said redshirt junior outside hitter Cooper Robinson. “These guys are doing such a good job pushing the 18 and making us better during practice; you simply come here to win.”

After struggling to establish chemistry with junior setter Andrew Rowan early in the year, Cameron Thorne has seemingly returned to his 2024 First Team All-American form. The junior middle blocker has accumulated 50 kills on a .751 hitting percentage during the Bruins’ streak, while the team has averaged a .405 clip.

“Our connection has been really good moving forward in the season,” Thorne said. “It wasn’t the best in the beginning, but now it’s definitely improved.”

Although UCLA has brandished a dominant attack, issues persist at the service line.

The Bruins have registered at least 20 service errors in each of the past four games and have committed 49 more service errors than last season’s first 13 games.

While he has logged 0.44 aces per set this season, Robinson committed 13 service errors across two matches against UCSB.

“Sometimes it gets tough to be able to serve hard and score points,” said coach John Hawks. “We have to get back there and serve tougher.”

But just as it did at the net, depth has emerged for the Bruins at the service line.

Despite limited playing time, sophomore outside hitter Kahale Clini has seven aces compared to 13 service errors.

Disrupting Stanford setter Theoren Brouillette’s rhythm could be key for UCLA. The San Jose local has orchestrated the Cardinal’s attack with 469 assists – 52 coming in the team’s most recent affair.

Brouillette averages nearly one more assist per set than Rowan, with the former sitting at a 10.42 clip as compared to the latter’s 9.67.

UCLA’s defense will also have to handle Stanford outside hitter/opposites Moses Wagner and Theo Snoey, who have combined for more than 300 kills this season. Snoey has registered at least 15 kills in five straight matches.

“I’m finally glad we’re getting into conference play,” Thorne said. “Stanford has some heavy hitters, a great coach, and it’s going to be a good game.”