Tuesday, April 28, 1998
Match made in heaven gives Bruins’ NCAA hopes new life
M.VOLLEYBALL Despite loss to Pepperdine, UCLA captures at-large
berth
By Grace Wen
Daily Bruin Staff
For the second straight year, the UCLA men’s volleyball team was
given a second chance.
Following last weekend’s loss to Pepperdine in the MPSF Finals,
the Bruins were awarded the at-large berth into the NCAA
tournament, hosted by the University of Hawaii, Monday.
Despite Saturday’s loss, there was never a doubt of making it to
the tournament in head coach Al Scates’ mind.
"The chairman of the committee told me that we were going, win
or lose, before the match," Scates said. "It took the edge off a
little bit for me, but we still tried to beat them."
It will be the sixth straight and 21st overall appearance in the
Final Four for UCLA. The Bruins have advanced to the NCAA finals
each of the last five years.
UCLA is seeded No. 2 in the tournament behind Pepperdine. The
Bruins will face third-seeded Lewis, the Midwest Intercollegiate
Volleyball Association champions, in a semifinal match on Thursday
at 9:30 p.m.
The other semifinal matchup will feature top-seeded Pepperdine
against the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association winner,
Princeton, at 11:30 p.m.
The final is scheduled for Saturday at 9:30 p.m. and will be
televised live on ESPN2.