The only constant in life is change.

And when everything is working, change can feel unwelcome, especially after a season of success, growth and, for UCLA, total dominance.

But entering the postseason, change isn’t something to fight. Whether the road ahead brings long-awaited rematches between rivals or unforeseen challenges, it’s all a part of the next chapter.

No. 1 seed UCLA men’s volleyball (26-1, 13-1 MPSF) enters the 33rd MPSF tournament, set for April 22 to April 25 at Smith Fieldhouse in Provo, Utah, hosted by No. 5 seed BYU, with the conference champion earning an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

UCLA will open play against No. 8 Concordia University Irvine (7-18, 4-10) on Wednesday, which has lost to every other team in the bracket, except for one of their two matchups against No. 7 seed Jessup on April 9 – where they saw a 3-1 victory – and has seen no play versus No. 2 seed Pepperdine.

Sitting as the top seed, the Bruins carry both the weight of expectation and a trophy-sized target on their backs.

“Every team is going to give us their best,” said senior middle blocker Cameron Thorne. “We’re number one for a reason, and they want to beat us.”

The Bruins enter the tournament following two consecutive 3-1 home wins over the Cougars, two weeks after seeing their 20-match winning streak broken by the Waves in a tight five-set duel on the road, during which the final frame ended 15-13. Although UCLA’s best start since 1984 was unable to be extended, the Bruins would bounce back just two days later in Westwood, taking a 3-1 rematch.

The Bruins finished the regular season with a .385 hitting percentage, improving on last year’s .364 mark. UCLA’s most efficient performance came against then-No. 15 McKendree in the regular season’s opener, when they posted a season-high .533 clip in the eventual sweep, highlighting its offensive ceiling entering postseason play. Since then, UCLA has finished 13 games hitting above .400, with three above the .500 mark.

The Bruins’ offensive efficiency is only part of the picture heading into the postseason. Much of their success has been anchored by consistent serve-and-pass play, allowing them to control the game’s tempo and keep opponents out of system.

“If our serve and pass is as good as it can be, we’re pretty much unbeatable,” said senior outside hitter Zach Rama.

UCLA also closed the regular season with two wins over No. 3 seed and crosstown rival USC, with a five-set comeback on the road and a four-set victory at home on March 3 and March 6, respectively. The matchup proved to be particularly significant, not only because the team had lost to the Trojans in a sweep to close its 2025 regular season but because it also saw sophomore outside hitter Sean Kelly earn AVCA National Player of the Week honors after leading the team with 21 kills on a .526 hitting percentage in the first duel, before adding another 17 in the next.

The Manhattan Beach, California, local delivered a .438 clip across the two games, with a then-career-high in kills in the first game against what could be the Bruins’ final round opponent.

When approaching postseason play, the Bruins’ strategy is simple.

“We just have to keep our composure and keep our game plan,” Thorne said. “Keep working hard in the gym, keep working hard in practice, just keep grinding.”

UCLA’s transition into the playoffs features familiar rivals from USC to Pepperdine in the MPSF tournament, but this may be one of its best opportunities to hoist the trophy. With the season winding down, five Bruins – Rama, Thorne, senior setter Andrew Rowan and redshirt juniors middle blocker Christopher Hersh and opposite David Decker – were honored on Senior Night on Saturday to celebrate nearing the end of their careers.

After the team’s April 18 regular season finale, coach John Hawks spoke on the time shared with the upperclassmen.

“We’ve got some special seniors,” Hawks said. “It’s going to be sad to see those guys leave but great to see all five of them on the court battling for us.”