The winter approaches, and with it comes the end of regular NCAA women’s volleyball.

UCLA women’s volleyball (16-9, 7-7 Big Ten) prepares for a home weekend against Washington (18-5, 9-5) on Thursday before facing No. 12 Oregon (20-4, 11-3) at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday for the squad’s Senior Night. The pair of games start a final home stretch of matches to conclude a season that started with a month of travel.

The Westwood squad most recently went 1-1 this past weekend away, taking down Illinois before falling to then-No. 14 Purdue.

“Communication is key in anything, especially on the court,” said fifth-year middle blocker Marianna Singletary. “Knowing what we had on the line, and also our goals in the Big Ten and making the tournament – ultimately, you have to produce, and you have to get wins.”

And the Bruins were able to produce against the Fighting Illini. After dropping the first set, UCLA captured the next three, aided heavily by sophomore right-side hitter Mija Bendziute, who finished the night tied with a team-high 12 kills on a .333 clip, alongside two aces, seven digs and four blocks.

But the Boilermakers would prove to be a tougher opponent.

UCLA lost momentum after capturing the first set, a recurring issue throughout the season – with seven matches going to five sets and another five taking four sets on the year.

“We knew the second half of our regular season scheduling was super tough,” Singletary said. “Continuing to go after it, approaching every game with a new mentality, new mindset and just being willing to work.”

The Texas transfer currently leads the team with 242 kills on a .338 clip. She also sits first in blocks with 138, averaging 1.48 per set.

The Huskies and the Ducks are hitting at .253 and .250 clips, respectively. And emotions will be running high on Saturday, as the Bruins will recognize the program’s seniors in the squad’s second-to-last home match, including senior libero Kat Lutz.

“Even when things aren’t going her (Lutz’s) way, she handles it really well, brushes it off and moves on,” said coach Matt Werle. “She might have two or three bad things in a row, and it just doesn’t affect her, which is really cool to see. The girls around her know that they can still rely on her.”

Lutz stepped into the libero position after junior libero/defensive specialist Lola Schumacher left a match Oct. 10 with a leg injury.

The Del Mar, California, local is averaging 3.29 digs per set with 161 total, including a season-high 28 against Penn State on Oct. 16, when she also had a season-high four aces.

And now, Lutz is one of four Bruins who will play their final games at Pauley Pavilion.

“There’s definitely home court advantage because you know there are people behind you,” said senior outside hitter Maggie Li. “There are people that showed up just for you, and we always say it’s extra hard to win matches on the road because you know playing in their home environment is to their advantage. It’s always really hard, but at the same time, when we come back home, to have that kind of support is such a privilege.”