Thursday, February 12, 1998
Volleyball Notebook
Can they make it a fourth?
The top-ranked UCLA men’s volleyball team is off to its best
start since the 1995 season, in which the Bruins finished 31-1. In
1995, UCLA was undefeated through 12 matches before falling to Ball
State. Though the season is young, the possibility of another
undefeated season does exist.
Thus far, UCLA has already played three matches against top five
schools. The Bruins defeated then No. 3 Pepperdine, No. 4 Long
Beach State and No. 5 Hawaii.
UCLA head coach Al Scates has commented that the chances of an
undefeated season are slim. "There’s not a big likelihood of that
happening," Scates said. "That would be nice, but our goal is to
win the NCAA championship."
The last time a Bruin squad went undefeated was in 1984 when
UCLA finished the year 38-0. No other schools have finished a
perfect season since then. In its history, UCLA has recorded three
undefeated seasons, (1979, 1982, 1984), the most of any school.
Player shuffle
Eight matches and eight victories into the season and UCLA still
does not have a set starting lineup. The Bruins have been using a
three-player shuffle at the outside hitter position.
Senior Ben Moselle has locked onto one of the starting spots
while junior Fred Robins and freshman Mark Williams have split
time. Williams has provided the firepower that is critical to the
position while Robins has contributed with his steady passing and
defense.
"Williams gives us stronger hitting," Scates said. "And Robins
gives us better digging so I use both of them depending on what we
need. I expect to be using all three of them."
Scates also added that the team chemistry has not been hurt by
not having the same people in the starting lineup.
Home sweet home
This weekend’s matches against UCSD and San Diego State begin a
month-long homestand for UCLA. The Bruins will play 10 matches
during this time before hitting the road against Stanford in March.
UCLA’s last home match during this stretch will be against BYU, the
top-ranked team at the start of the season.
Naeve out for the week
Sophomore quick hitter Adam Naeve will not see action in this
weekend’s matches against the San Diego schools. Naeve suffered
second-degree burns last Wednesday after a match against USC. Naeve
saw limited time in the Long Beach State match and will not play
this weekend. Scates is hopeful that the sophomore will be able to
play in next week’s match against UCSB.
In UCLA’s previous meeting with Santa Barbara, the Bruins swept
the Gauchos in three quick games due in part to Naeve’s 30 kills
during the match.
On Friday, Scates will start Danny Farmer in place of Naeve.
Farmer has provided stellar play coming off the bench, averaging
3.36 kills a game with a .358 attacking percentage.