This post was updated Nov. 10 at 3:48 p.m.

Isaac Newton’s third law of motion states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

For the Bruins, that law might explain their entire season.

With seven matches left, they’re still searching for a way to move forward without taking two steps back.

And that push and pull will be tested once again when UCLA women’s volleyball (13-10, 7-6 Big Ten) returns home to take on Northwestern (15-10, 5-8) at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday night. The Bruins have only faced off with the Wildcats twice in program history, winning both matches.

For coach Alfee Reft, consistency continues to remain a challenge for the team.

“We got to figure out how to sustain that control and execution that gets us to points in a set where we can win,” Reft said on Oct. 29, following UCLA’s three-set loss to USC.

The matchup against Northwestern comes after a four-set loss to Oregon on Thursday night. The Bruins totaled 44 kills against the Ducks, led by senior outside hitter Cheridyn Leverette, who posted 11 kills. Leverette currently boasts 308 total kills and 333.5 total points this season on a .231 clip.

Junior outside hitter Maggie Li also posted her 1,000th career kill Thursday. Prior to her arrival in Westwood this offseason, she accumulated 463 kills at .210 during the 2024 campaign with California, good for second-place in the ACC for total kills.

“It’s definitely a very special feeling to hit 1,000 kills,” Li said. “I am very grateful for all the opportunities that I have.”

The Wildcats enter the matchup coming off victories against Iowa on Oct. 31 and Maryland on Nov. 2. But even with a 15-10 overall record – narrowly above the Bruins’ 13-10 mark – they’ve gone 5-8 in Big Ten play at a .385 clip.

New faces have risen alongside the Wildcats’ veterans.

Outside hitter Rylen Reid heads the pack with 266 kills at a .251 clip, followed by outside hitter Ayah Elnady at second, contributing 260 kills at a .231 clip. At the net, middle blocker Bella Simkus anchors the Wildcats’ defense with 15 solo blocks and 56 block assists, with fellow middle blocker Kayla Kauffman right behind with 7 solo blocks and 61 block assists.

The Bruins swept the Wildcats the last time they met in October 2024. And with only so many opportunities left before the postseason, posting a similar performance may be necessary for UCLA to remain in contention.

“The Big Ten is quick-moving,” said sophomore setter Kate Duffey on Oct. 29 following UCLA’s three-set loss to USC. “There’s not a whole lot of time to sit in it but just learn the lessons.”

And in a season ruled by equal and opposite reactions, the Bruins’ next response may define how far it goes.