While teams are always gunning for a victory, doing so against their rivals may provide extra motivation.
And the opportunity to kickstart a winning streak could be the icing on top.

Homecoming is one of the most anticipated events of the school year for many students.
The same can be said for athletes.
UCLA swim and dive (1-1-1, 1-0-0 Big Ten) had an eventful weekend during its home debut, beating Iowa (1-3) on Friday, before sweeping a quad meet against Iowa, Utah (2-2) and UC Santa Barbara (1-1) on Saturday at Spieker Aquatics Center.

Men’s volleyball is growing.
Whether it be the addition of two new teams – Jessup University and UC Merced – to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation in 2026 and another – Pacific – in 2027 or the expansion of the NCAA tournament from 10 to 12 teams, the sport has witnessed unprecedented growth in the last year.

Once is an accident.
Twice is a coincidence.
Thrice is a pattern.
But what does it mean when it happens 14 times?
That is the number of national championships UCLA men’s water polo has won, which accounts for over 10% of UCLA’s 125 NCAA titles.

125.
That is how many national champion plaques UCLA now boasts on its storied walls.
And No. 2 seed UCLA men’s water polo (27-2, 5-1 MPSF) has been responsible for the most recent two, capturing the national championship for its second straight season against No.

Saturday evening was familiar territory for the Bruins.
Not just the actual location – which is the same as the MPSF tournament – but the circumstances as well: a competitive in-state foe in the way of an opportunity to get back to the national championship.

With the start of December comes the month of giving.
And the Bruins may have gotten the first item on their wishlist.
Reigning national champions and No.

No. 2 seed UCLA (24-2, 5-1 MPSF) will have the opportunity to protect the national title starting Friday at Avery Aquatic Center in Palo Alto, California.

This post was updated Nov. 29 at 6:04 p.m.
It was a rematch a year in the making.
The Trojans vanquished the Bruins in last year’s MPSF championship match in a three-point affair.

Just on the other side of the parking lot, the Golden Bears prowled into the den of red and green trees in a Bay Area football rivalry showdown.