Emotions fuel momentum – and momentum fuels victories.

Riding a three-match win streak, No. 2 UCLA men’s volleyball (19-4, 9-1 MPSF) will host crosstown rival No. 5 USC (19-5, 7-3) for Senior Night on Thursday at Pauley Pavilion and Saturday evening at the Galen Center. The two-game series will be both programs’ last before the MPSF tournament; a Bruin win will clinch the MPSF regular season title – their fourth conference title in as many years – and give them the top seed in the conference tournament.

With a single victory in the two-game series, the Bruins can solidify themselves as the top seed in the conference tournament, while consecutive losses could hand the No. 1 seed to the Trojans.

Bolstered by a new lineup containing four hitters and three outsides, the Bruins boast the second-best hitting percentage in the nation with a .367 clip. Offensive efficiency will be paramount in the series finale as the Trojans match the Bruins’ offensive with an equally staunch defense.

Headlined by 7-foot middle blocker Parker Tomkinson, the USC block sports the nation’s top spot in blocks per set at a 2.77 rate.

Despite the Trojans’ formidable pin-hitting defense, UCLA coach John Hawks wants his squad to continue to be tenacious.

“Staying aggressive and doing what we do and trusting that whenever we get an opportunity, we side out – that is always going to be a consistent message with us,” Hawks said.

While Tomkinson and fellow middle blocker – and former Bruin – Guy Genis fortify the Trojans’ block, they are met across the net by junior middle blocker Cameron Thorne. The Grand Canyon transfer sits one spot nationally behind Tomkinson in blocks per set with a 1.11 clip. Thorne has logged at least three blocks in nine of the last 10 contests, despite his 6-foot-4 frame.

UCLA’s block has limited opponents to a sub-.300 hitting percentage in all but three affairs this season, including four contests in which it held opposing teams to sub-.100 clips. The Bruins’ defensive efforts have resulted in their No. 17 ranking in opponent hitting percentage.

Offensively, UCLA sports top rankings in the MPSF in kills per set, hitting percentage and aces per set with tallies of 13.9, .405 and 2.23, respectively. Redshirt junior outside hitter Cooper Robinson’s efforts have been pivotal to this effort, with 285 kills at a .380 clip – ranking him 16th nationally in hitting percentage.

But UCLA’s offense has never been a one-man show.

“What’s special about this team is, we’ve got a bunch of guys that can lead us in kills, and we need people to step up,” Hawks said. “And when you’re not 100%, you’ve got to have guys that rally – rally for each other, play for each other and step up in big moments.

The Bruins have also excelled at the service line, averaging 1.96 aces per set – ranking them fourth nationally. Junior setter Andrew Rowan has excelled in creating opportunities, averaging 10 assists per set and totaling 760 assists across 21 matches.

Despite accumulating a whopping 526 service errors this year, the Bruins are confident in their service abilities.

“We know how good we are. We know how confident we are in each other,” said junior outside hitter Zach Rama. “When you go back to the service line, you’re thinking about, ‘Oh, I can’t miss this. I can’t miss this.’ All you are going to do is miss it – so just keep ripping, doing your thing. Be confident in what you do.”

Facing a USC squad ranked fourth nationally in hitting percentage with a .355, limiting Trojan offensive prowess through increased service pressure may be the best way to throw off Trojan stars such as Tomkinson and outside hitter Dillion Klein – who sport .451 and .375 hitting percentages, respectively.

With Senior Night energy pulsing through Pauley Pavilion, and postseason implications on the line, Thursday’s matchup promises the drama typical of the Battle for LA.

“We should be playing hard every point. But really focus on our systems,” said freshman outside hitter Sean Kelly. “Trust our seams, passing. Trust Rowan setting the ball and trying to go on more runs. Try to point-score better. That’s what we’re doing.”