The Bruins will not need to venture into a haunted house to come face to face with a frightening pair of visitors.

With two ranked opponents on its schedule, UCLA faces a double dose of danger. But the home team has a chance to make the weekend just as unsettling for their opponents – and give the favorites a Halloween fright.

UCLA women’s volleyball (15-6, 6-4 Big Ten) will aim to defend Pauley Pavilion against No. 21 Minnesota (12-6, 6-4) on Friday and No. 8 Wisconsin (14-6, 8-2) on Sunday.

Led by preseason All-Big Ten outside hitter Mckenna Wucherer, Minnesota arrives in Westwood with momentum on its side. The Golden Gophers have won five of their past six matches, including a sweep against No. 21 Washington on Sunday.

UCLA returns to Pauley Pavilion looking to turn the frustrations of a winless road trip into a more consistent performance at home. The Bruins struggled to sustain their intensity and respond when momentum shifted during their matchups last week.

“A lot of our talk has just been addressing the way we are showing up in the practice gym,” said junior setter Kate Duffey. “I think six out of the next seven games we have are ranked opponents, so we really like that we have a lot of opportunity in front of us right now.”

With another demanding weekend ahead, maintaining focus from the opening serve through the final point will be central to their chances of recovering.

But UCLA’s offense offered something to build on, highlighted by the connection between Duffey and fifth-year middle blocker Marianna Singletary. Their communication and familiarity have helped Singletary remain a threat in transition this season.

“I think she was just making herself very easy to find, and I think our communication off the ball also is what makes our connection so good,” Duffey said. “We’re constantly talking in between points, like finding the ball: ‘This is where I’m gonna be for you,’ and constantly adjusting the set a little bit to continue to connect.”

Singletary has been a fixture at the net for UCLA, starting all 21 matches and playing in all 77 sets this year. Across that stretch, she has contributed a team-high 271.5 points, averaging 3.53 per set.

Wisconsin awaits in the second half of UCLA’s home stand. The Badgers enter the weekend tied for second in the Big Ten standings, with a resume that includes five consecutive wins over ranked opponents this season.

As UCLA prepares to face another Goliath, closing out sets remains a focus. Following consecutive losses, the Bruins discussed accountability and how to maintain their level of play through the end of matches.

“We just need to play tough and be a little bit more consistent from point to point,” said coach Matt Werle. “Whatever happened in the past needs to be in the past, and we need to move on from it. I don’t think that we are bouncing back very well when things don’t go our way. We need to move on from them and focus on what’s at hand for the next points and the next contacts.”

UCLA has sent its past three visitors home with losses, a stretch that included an upset of then-No. 15 Penn State. Now, two more top opponents are knocking on Pauley Pavilion’s door this Halloween weekend.

Whether these visits bring more treats or a trick at its expense remains to be seen. After a difficult road trip, though, Singletary is eager to return home and see what is waiting on the doorstep.

“I think we’re really fired up to get back to LA,” Singletary said. “As tough as this weekend was, I think we’re ready for what’s to come, and we still have so much more to improve.”