One play can alter a match’s trajectory.

And after falling behind 11-2 to open the match, a kill from graduate student middle blocker Phekran Kong sparked a 9-2 run to help spur the Bruins’ early comeback.

And UCLA women’s volleyball (10-6, 4-2 Big Ten) bottled that energy, upsetting No. 22 USC (11-5, 2-4) in a sweep Saturday at Pauley Pavilion to capture the Bruins’ 20th victory within the rivalry. This was the Bruins’ first home win against the Trojans since September 2021 and only their third in the last 10 matchups against the crosstown rivals.

“The turning point was just limiting moments,” said coach Alfee Reft. “Our players practiced a lot of poise and calm in those moments and in training, so there wasn’t any panic. I thought we dialed up the serving a little more, and then we just went on runs in the block and defense, which this team can do. We can score points in big bunches.”

The Bruins have learned to deal with opposing crowds. The squad’s matchup against the Trojans marked just its third home contest this season.

But the Bruins ushered in a home audience that rivaled those of their Big Ten counterparts Saturday.

After UCLA’s first two home matches saw fewer than 2,000 combined fans last week, a crowd of more than 2,400 flocked to Pauley Pavilion.

The Bruins seemingly thrived off the home energy, holding the Trojans to a season low .115 hitting percentage – which marked the second consecutive match the Bruins have held their opponent to a sub-.120 hitting percentage – and producing 45 combined digs.

Following their Big Ten losses to Purdue and Indiana last week, Reft said the team struggled to finish plays and execute in late-set situations.

But the Bruins outscored the Trojans 18-4 once the squads reached the 20s in each set throughout Saturday’s match.

“Yesterday, (Friday) we did this drill where the whole premise of it is winning late in the game and practicing stepping into moments when the pressure’s high,” said senior outside hitter Cheridyn Leverette. “We were in that situation so much today, so we really pulled from those feelings and implemented it today in the game. It was so satisfying to see.”

Leverette continued to shine on the court, posting 14 kills on a .290 clip. Redshirt junior middle blocker Marianna Singletary fended off the Trojans’ attack with six blocks to add to her 78 total blocks, good for second in the conference.

Volleyball is a team sport. The little details in long rallies are what allow teams to score and are the driving forces in achieving unity. For Singletary, those are the most important moments in a match.

“Making sure I’m always on and always doing my job so I can be better for Cheridyn, or – if I get that touch – I can slow it down for Lola (sophomore defensive specialist/libero Lola Schumacher), and she could get a good pass, it’s a chain reaction,” Singletary said. “I find, honestly, more joy in my off-ball play than I do actually getting a kill or getting a block.”

That mindset has helped the Bruins develop their team identity as the season has progressed, with the opportunity to snap a three-year postseason drought.

So, even though the new team stumbled at the start, UCLA may be proving it can work through growing pains.