This post was updated Sept. 18 at 8:45 a.m.

The Bruins are ready to put their cards on the table.

UCLA women’s volleyball (6-2) will travel to Las Vegas for the Lucky Aces Volleyball Invitational, taking its chances against Iowa State (5-3) on Friday, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (2-5) on Saturday and Hawaiʻi (6-2) on Sunday.

So far, the Bruins have cashed in when facing unranked competition. UCLA’s only two losses have come at the hands of ranked opponents, while its six wins helped it garner 46 votes in the latest AVCA poll.

Competing at a neutral site in Sin City will test the Bruins’ chemistry while offering them another opportunity to strengthen their connection as a team.

“This group has been so connected off the court, and that is so important to how it shows up on the court,” said junior setter Kate Duffey. “We’ve had some tough games in the preseason. There are no games that are an easy win. Every single game is going to be a battle, which is so much fun.”

At the center of UCLA’s offensive attack are fifth-year middle blocker Marianna Singletary and freshman middle blocker Brooke Harwood, the squad’s top two in the kills tally this season. Their production through the middle has given the Bruins a reliable attack heading into the three-match slate.

“Ultimately, with our one-two combo up the middle with Mari and Brooke, they’re just so unstoppable,” said head coach Matt Werle. “That really showed itself in that BYU match.”

In the Sept. 11 match against the then-No. 25 Cougars, the duo combined for 28 kills – 16 from Singletary and 12 from Harwood – in a nail-biting five-set loss.

Beyond her production, Singletary also provides an emotional spark for the Bruins, Werle said.

“They just really rally around Mari with those big plays,” Werle said. “It’s such a game of emotion and momentum that if there’s any way we can show some sort of positive celebration internally and ride that momentum, they do a really nice job. Mari is a human highlight reel when she wants to be. I’m glad she’s on our team.”

UCLA may be approaching a formidable roadblock in Hawaiʻi, which enters the Lucky Aces invitational riding a five-match winning streak – its longest since a seven-match run late in the 2023 season.

The Rainbow Wahine’s 6-2 start under first-year head coach Joshua Walker ranks second among Mountain West teams, while their .151 opponent hitting percentage is a conference low.

Iowa State will arrive in Las Vegas without a key component of their squad – right-side hitter Lilly Wachholz. The senior will miss the remainder of the season after suffering an injury against Iowa on Sept. 8.

Through six matches, Wachholz recorded 52 kills and 15 blocks while averaging 2.74 kills per set on a .324 hitting percentage, including a season-high 18 kills at a .484 clip against Utah State.

Nevertheless, the Bruins are confident that every player is prepared to contribute when called upon, Singletary said.

“We’ve done a great job in the gym, specifically with Matt and the new staff, just making sure everyone is ready to go,” Singletary said. “We have the depth and trust within each other to know that when your name and number get called, that person will be able to do their job just as well as anyone else. Everyone is here for a reason, and we’re all super capable of taking care of business.”