NICOLE MILLER/ Daily Bruin Rich Nelson,
wrestling with teammate Scott Morrow (on Nelson’s
shoulder) knows how to have a good time on and off the court.
By Diamond Leung
Daily Bruin Contributor
Rich Nelson is a man of many talents. Take bull riding, for
example.
When he talked middle blocker Scott Morrow and libero Adam
Shrader into a night out at a club last week, there was really only
one thing on his mind.
“He got all fired up and wanted to ride the mechanical
bull,” Shrader said.
“I stayed on the whole time,” Nelson said with a
laugh. “I should have won the contest, but I think Scott beat
me.
“We’re probably going to go back there soon, and
I’ll get the whole attire going.”
While that might be worth getting front row seats for, UCLA fans
prefer watching Nelson take the bull by the horns when it comes to
volleyball. As the starting setter, the true sophomore runs the
high-powered offense for the defending national champions.
“I think he’s doing real good for a
sophomore,” Head Coach Al Scates said. “We gave him the
whole offense. We gave him the whole thing from the beginning.
“Rich is far ahead of most starting setters we’ve
had in the program.”
Nelson credits his success to playing behind four-time
All-American Brandon Taliaferro. He spent his freshman year
learning the ropes from the Bruin great.
“Playing against the best player in the country every day
in practice ““ it improved my game,” Nelson said.
“He’s one of the best setters I’ve ever seen
play. I still look up to him.”
When Taliaferro went down with an injury early last season,
Nelson got the opportunity to give the Bruins a preview of what he
could do. As the starter, he posted an impressive 6-1 record,
leading the Bruins to key victories on their way to a national
championship season.
Taliaferro, the NCAA Tournament MVP, was more than just a great
setter. He was a fearless leader for the Bruins, a motivator. With
Taliaferro’s departure after his senior year, Nelson had some
big shoes to fill this season.
But the chance to replace Taliaferro wasn’t just handed to
Nelson on a silver platter. Scates played both Nelson and senior
Dan Conners during the preseason so that the two could have some
healthy competition for the starting spot. This only pushed Nelson
to be on top of his game.
“I always had it in the back of my head that I have to
play at my top because there’s someone who’s going to
take my spot if I don’t,” Nelson said. “It forced
me to become a better player.”
“It was good to motivate him ““ let him fight for the
position,” Scates added.
Nelson earned the starting spot, and has not disappointed.
Currently sixth in assist average in the MPSF, his stellar play has
not gone unnoticed by his teammates.
“Last year he wasn’t a starter so he didn’t
feel there was a lot of pressure on him,” senior outside
hitter Mark Williams said. “He proved so much when he put it
out on the court this year.”
Nelson is a star on the rise, providing consistent setting with
a bonus occasional dump kill. He also has a bit of Taliaferro in
him, combining the fiery leadership that Taliaferro brought to the
team with a twinge of enthusiasm from his own personality.
“On the court, he’s totally serious,” Shrader
said. “He’s all game.”
“I like the team to be upbeat at all times no matter
what,” Nelson said. “If we’re getting killed in
the game, we need the momentum back for the next. I try to get the
guys up.”
Nelson has to be a leader of sorts. That’s what being a
setter is all about. When you run the entire offense on a team with
high expectations, you’re looked to for leadership.
“People think it’s so easy,” Nelson said.
“You gotta know a lot more than people think you do.
Who’s going to put a ball in for you? Who’s going to
win the game? Never at all during a game do I stop thinking about
stuff like that.”
Given that responsibility, Nelson has more than lived up to his
end of the bargain. When frustrations begin to mount during a
match, he flashes that infectious smile of his, claps and offers
words of encouragement. His energy is contagious.
“I think he has a lot of fun with volleyball, and I think
people like playing with people who have fun with the game,”
Assistant Coach John Speraw said.
“I love setting. I’ll always set, no matter
what,” Nelson said.
Nelson’s enthusiasm also shines through off the court.
“He’s a playful type of guy,” Scates said.
“He’s always a fun guy to be around.”
Whether it’s ping-pong at Williams’ house, playful
wrestling matches with Morrow or showing off his version of an
Irish dance to the team after practice, Nelson is always doing
something for fun.
“My biggest hobby is drawing,” said Nelson, who
plans to major in art at the School of Arts and Architecture.
“If I’m not playing volleyball or relaxing with the
guys, I’m drawing. Anything I see that I like I’ll
paint or draw.”
“He’s excellent,” Shrader said. “Every
evening he’s just sitting on the couch drawing.”
We’re not talking about unflattering doodles of a
professor during lecture, here. From X-Men cartoons to watercolor
landscapes, Nelson can do it all.
His setting is no less artistic. Up to this point, Nelson has
led the team to a successful season. Now, as the team heads into
the postseason, the super sophomore paints a pretty playoff picture
for the Bruins.
“Everyone knows we’re going in it to win.
We’re going to do it together, and we’ll come out with
another championship.”