Six set points.

The second-largest home crowd in UC Irvine men’s volleyball history.

And a timely four kills from outside hitters sophomore Sean Kelly and senior Zach Rama extended the match.

Even if it was not the final set, it may have been the tipping point.

“I think it’s fair to say that,” Kelly said when asked if the Bruins play their best when their backs are against the wall. “We’ve definitely been tested, and we’re just a tight group of guys. We work hard during the fall. We trust each other, and it’s been shown. … I’m proud of the guys.”

No. 1 UCLA men’s volleyball (14-0, 3-0 MPSF) overcame an initial 2-1 set deficit against No. 4 Irvine (12-2) to win a five-set duel at the Bren Events Center in Irvine. Friday’s game marked the Bruins’ second comeback road win this year to maintain a perfect record as the only undefeated team left in the country.

UCLA walked into a loud environment that heckled every serve attempt and jeered every failed attack with just one full day of rest following an affair against No. 12 UC Santa Barbara, during which two of the three sets went into sudden death.

But junior middle blocker Micah Wong Diallo credited summer cardio and body preparation with helping the Bruins remain physically ready, despite the quick turnaround.

And quick was exactly how the Bruins began the match, winning the first set 25-22 off the heels of an aggressive start for Rama and redshirt junior opposite David Decker, who posted five and four kills, respectively.

After the match opened to a 10-10 split, a UCLA 8-4 run shifted the tempo in favor of the Westwood squad, who controlled the remainder of the first stanza, during which the Bruins never trailed.

The early lead was in large part due to a stifling defense that restricted the Anteaters to just a .080 hitting percentage. Outside hitter Andrej Jokanovic – Irvine’s leading hitter this season – was particularly contained, going for negative through the first set and recording seven attacking errors through the night.

And defense was the name of the game Friday night for the Bruins.

Not only did Diallo secure a career-high nine blocks – more than doubling his previous personal best – but four other Bruins notched five-plus stops. UCLA also recorded a season-high 33 blocks in the match – 14 more than its previous best against No. 2 Long Beach State on Feb. 20 – all of which were block assists, highlighting the cohesion that the front unit had at the net, with several guys tracking attacks from all over the court.

But Diallo acknowledged it was not easy.

“The outside is super crafty,” Diallo said. “It was working us a lot. Different tempos in the middle – they played really well. Just our coaching staff, trusting them and finding ways and strategies to overcome – that was really helpful.”

After the Anteaters struggled to find open pin-hitters to start the game, their aggression amped up going into the second and third frames, starting as early as the service line.

Irvine delivered nine service aces against UCLA – all but one came in the second and third sets. But even when serves were not hitting the floor, they were forcing the Bruins to scramble, often putting senior setter Andrew Rowan in awkward positions, as evidenced by his several one-handed passing attempts, to disrupt their usual routes.

And with UCLA’s defense out of position, Irvine was able to capitalize, jumping to a .250 hitting percentage in the second stanza, before going for .412 in the third.

Opposite William D’Arcy asserted significant pressure on the right side, pacing the Anteaters with 15 kills, with setter Cameron Kosty making critical plays to diversify Irvine’s approach.

Outside hitter/opposite Trevor Clark joined the offense with 12 kills on a .476 clip, operating from both sides of the court and capitalizing on various angles. Middle blocker Micah Goss sent nine shots to the floor – many of which were straight down the center when UCLA’s receivers were more backed up.

“They were really scrappy,” Kelly said. “They’re an insanely good serving team. I was really struggling passing, and my teammates lifted me up. We got better during the match. We were more in-system, and I just trusted the guys.”

UCLA’s back row was left particularly weak when redshirt junior libero Christopher Connelly – who set a career-high in digs for the third time this season with 15 Friday – rotated out, allowing Irvine pin-hitters to target less adept passers.

But for coach John Hawks’ squad, avoiding complacency is key to maintaining a high level of play, even when digging out of a hole.

Hawks, who revamped his coaching staff in his second year at the helm, has lauded his bench for much of the success the Bruins have observed this season.

“I don’t think I’ve necessarily changed,” Hawks said Wednesday when asked about his growth as a coach. “I’m surrounded by a great staff, and I love the people I’m around. Just being true to who I am and allowing the guys to just be themselves, I don’t want to add any stress to their lives. I want to make their lives easier.”

And even when on the brink of a loss, the Bruins remain just as motivated as when they are controlling a lead.

The Kelly-Rama duo was a force to be reckoned with Friday night, combining for 39 kills and operating from all over the court. With the departure of former outside hitter Cooper Robinson, Rama has reinserted himself as the go-to pin-hitter, with the left-handed Decker on the right side, thus prompting Kelly to man much of the back row.

The Manhattan Beach, California, local has especially excelled attacking out of pipes and bics, having delivered double-digit kill performances in eight of his last nine games, and over half of his kills against the Anteaters came in the fourth and fifth sets alone.

And after clawing back to force a fifth set, it would be UCLA’s 33rd block of the night – a duo stuff from Rama and Diallo – to protect its perfect start to 2026.

“It shows we have heart,” Kelly said when asked what the win over Irvine demonstrated. “It shows we’re a tight team, who’s got heart. I just love this team. I’m proud of them.