Tuesday, February 3, 1998
UCLA to face USC in benefit match
VOLLEYBALL Annual Kilgour Cup provides fundraising for injured
All-American alumnus
By Grace Wen
Daily Bruin Staff
Although the UCLA men’s volleyball team will be taking on
crosstown rival USC Wednesday night, don’t expect any of the hoopla
that normally accompanies a match against the Trojans.
That’s because this match will bear sentimental significance.
The 21st-annual Kilgour Cup is a one-match benefit that honors
former UCLA All-American Kirk Kilgour.
Kilgour, a Bruin from 1969-1971, led UCLA to a national
championship in 1970, and was named NCAA Championship MVP in 1971.
He was also a member of the U.S. National team from 1968 to 1976
and became the first American to play professionally in Italy.
The former All-American injured his neck during a pre-game
warmup in Italy which left him a paraplegic for life. UCLA head
coach Al Scates and UCLA responded by organizing an annual
fund-raiser for Kilgour.
"We try to choose an opponent that will bring a large crowd,"
UCLA head coach Al Scates said. "We particularly enjoy beating ‘SC
so I selected ‘SC this year."
In fact, the Bruins (7-0, 2-0 MPSF) especially enjoyed beating
Southern Cal (2-5, 1-4) last year, as the win gave Scates his 900th
career victory. The Bruins lead the series 69-25 and have won the
last 11 matches. UCLA, a team that boasts five returning starters
should easily defeat the Trojans, who graduated four starters.
"I think UCLA is probably one of the better teams out there,"
USC head coach Pat Powers said. "Right now we’re in the process of
rebuilding so I just want to go out and make sure that we play a
good game and maintain our poise."
UCLA, on the other hand, will not be as focused on the Trojans.
The Bruins, instead, are already looking ahead to Saturday night’s
match against Long Beach State.
"It doesn’t matter to me if they have the greatest team they
have ever had or if they’re rebuilding," Scates said. "We’re going
to beat them as bad as we can every time we play and that’s just
the way it is.
"I’m more concerned with preparing our team for the long
haul."
DERRICK KUDO
Outside hitter Matt Davis sets himself to bump the ball against
LMU earlier this year.