UCLA men’s volleyball huddles together on the bench at the Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu as coaches John Hawks, Nick Vogel and Brandon Taliaferro talk to the team. (Lex Wang/Daily Bruin senior staff)
MALIBU, Calif – Home court advantage is historically touted as one of the most impactful advantages a team can have – particularly in the postseason.
Although Firestone Fieldhouse’s capacity is just over 3,000 people – 10,000 less than Pauley Pavilion’s – low-ceilings and a student section teeming with hundreds of Pepperdine students created a hostile environment for the Bruins.
The reigning back-to-back national champions, ironically, have not found the same success at the conference level.
Despite leading the nation with 21 NCAA titles, the Bruins have clinched just eight MPSF championships, winning only two in the last 20 years and most recently falling to Grand Canyon in the 2024 title game.
This post was updated April 24 at 10:57 p.m.
No. 2 UCLA men’s volleyball (20-5, 10-2 MPSF) dropped its regular season finale in sweeping fashion to No.
As Zach Rama stepped up to the service line, the junior outside hitter was bombarded with a cacophony of screams and taunts.
But this wasn’t a match-clinching point.
A sea of eyes watched the court.
Each gaze seemed fixed toward Cooper Robinson.
But the redshirt junior’s eyes were trained on someone else.
Former Bruin teammate Merrick McHenry – with the national championship ring he earned alongside the outside hitter last year glinting on his finger – gesticulated emphatically with his hands at Robinson from the sidelines, urging him on with some advice.
No. 2 UCLA men’s volleyball (19-4, 9-1 MPSF) will have a chance to extend its seven-game win streak in the Battle for LA against No. 5 USC (19-5, 7-3 MPSF) on Thursday at Pauley Pavilion – which is also senior night – and Saturday evening at the Galen Center.
This post was updated April 13 at 9:29 p.m.
The energy of a crowd can make or break a match.
And a home audience seemed like just what the Bruins needed to rebuild their win streak.
This post was updated April 12 at 4:31 p.m.
Few moments in a contest are as critical as match point.
The stakes are as high as they can get – and the fans know it, thundering from both sides with excitement.
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