By Daniel Miller
Daily Bruin Contributor
As the top-ranked team in the nation, the UCLA men’s
volleyball team has had very few chances to exact revenge this
season.
Clearly a team would rather win all of its matches and not have
to seek vengeance, but the Bruins (17-3, 11-2 MPSF) are excitedly
looking forward to facing Stanford tomorrow at Pauley Pavilion. The
No. 7 Cardinal handed UCLA a 3-1 loss Feb. 16 in Palo Alto ““
a match the Bruins remember well.
“There is a definite revenge factor,” sophomore
middle blocker Chris Peña said. “I’ve come to
learn that every team plays their best against us, and we will see
that this weekend.”
But before they host the Cardinal, the Bruins host No. 14
Pacific today, which UCLA beat during its Bay Area road trip.
The Cardinal (10-7, 9-5) is led by All-American Curt Toppel, who
had 18 kills in the team’s last matchup and averages a
league-leading 5.6 kills per game.
“Stanford depends on Toppel ““ he’s their man,
their kill leader,” UCLA head coach Al Scates said.
“But other guys on their team can get loose, too.”
Freshman outside hitter Jonathan Acosta returned to play
Wednesday in the Bruins’ 3-0 victory over Lewis after missing
a month and a half due to injury.
“It has been a little frustrating to not be at full
strength, but we have had a positive outlook about it,”
Scates said. “The upside is that freshmen have gotten
valuable playing experience.”
As of late, the Bruins have received strong play from senior
outside hitter Matt Komer and junior outside hitter Cameron Mount.
While Komer has received applause for his developing leadership and
strong, consistent play, Mount has spent practice time honing his
game.
“We scouted Mount as if he were an opposing player,”
Scates said. “He went over the scouting report and since then
he has been avoiding the block well. When he gets into a good
rhythm, he is unstoppable.”
The Bruins understand the importance of league matches to a
half-over season.
“Stanford is a really solid team, and Pacific is a
scrappy, defensive team,” junior middle blocker Scott Morrow
said. “We know they will both be good.”
Peña remembers one thing about beating Pacific on the road:
Stockton is a place he doesn’t need to visit again.
So, is Peña excited about getting the Tigers at home?
“Definitely.”