Thursday, January 15, 1998
Bruins confident they will instill cowardliness in Lions
VOLLEYBALL: Team not about to let tonight’s game become first
loss to Loyola Marymount
By Grace Wen
Daily Bruin Contributor
No one could accuse the UCLA men’s volleyball team of lacking
confidence.
When you have a coach who believes being ranked second in the
nation is a low starting spot, you can understand why UCLA isn’t
exactly shaking in their Reeboks at the prospect of playing Loyola
Marymount tonight.
In fact, it’s hard not to be a little overconfident when you
have a 53-match winning streak and have never lost a match to your
upcoming opponent. But for the Bruins, it will be business as usual
as they take on the Lions in the first match of league play.
"We wouldn’t want to lose to Loyola," UCLA head Coach Al Scates
said. "I don’t remember losing to them, and I certainly don’t want
to start now."
UCLA (3-0), coming off a tournament championship in Hawaii,
looks to triumph over the Lions tonight for its 54th win. It could
be a tough first match for LMU, whose season has yet to begin.
The Lions did not fare too well last season. LMU tied for sixth
place in the Mountain Division with a 4-15 league record and an
overall record of 5-16.
Loyola returns five starters, including outside hitter Tim
Farmer, the fraternal twin of Bruin volleyball player Danny Farmer,
and middle blocker Robert Schildts. Both played well in an
exhibition match against Cal last Wednesday. Farmer notched 25
kills while Schildts added 14 kills and seven blocks.
"Tim Farmer is really good," Scates said. "We have to slow him
down."
Besides trying to contain Farmer, UCLA will focus on improving
their digging and blocking.
The Bruins have already outdug their opponents 104-92 but are
being outblocked 26.5-23. According to Scates, the team has been
working on their ball handling and defensive skills. He believes
that the blocking will improve as soon as it is emphasized.
"They’ll want to improve each time they go out," Scates said.
"They’re going to play hard against everybody."