After four long years, redshirt senior Nick Scheftic is finally
starting to play to his potential. The 6-foot-11 quick hitter was
named the Sports Imports/AVCA Men’s National Player of the
Week on Monday after he led the UCLA men’s volleyball team to
consecutive victories this past weekend over Long Beach State and
UC San Diego. Scheftic is only the 13th Bruin to receive the
national honor and the first since All-American quick hitter Paul
Johnson was similarly recognized in January 2005. Scheftic slammed
11 kills against Long Beach State on Friday and added three
consecutive aces and two block assists to snap a three-match losing
streak to the 49ers. He had another solid outing on Saturday,
notching 11 kills with a .550 hitting percentage and five block
assists. “He’s been on a hot streak lately,” UCLA
coach Al Scates said. “His stats have gone up significantly
in the last five matches and he has been connecting with (setter)
Matt Wade very well.” Prior to this season, Scheftic was
almost a nonfactor for the Bruins. After redshirting his freshman
year, Scheftic provided little production off the bench. He played
a total of 25 games over the next three seasons, accumulating 42
kills for a .239 hitting percentage and 23 total blocks. But this
season has been a complete reversal, as Scheftic has played 92 of
the Bruins’ 101 games and has put up stellar numbers.
Scheftic averages 2.77 kills per game and leads UCLA’s top
hitters with a .410 hitting percentage. He also leads the team in
total blocks with 11 solo blocks and 77 block assists. “I
feel like I’ve always been giving it my all, and it’s
finally starting to pay off now,” Scheftic said.
“Almost everything about my game has improved from previous
seasons. I’m more aware on the court and have been much more
aggressive in going after balls.” Not only are
Scheftic’s hitting and blocking impressive, but Scates has
noted the great serving improvement he has made, especially after
his three aces against the 49ers. “He gets very hot in his
serving sometimes,” Scates said. “To get three aces
against one of the leading liberos in the league was pretty
significant.” One of the major reasons Scheftic has improved
so much this season is that he has learned to use his height
advantage effectively. Usually the tallest player on the court,
Scheftic has the ability to hit over the block of the opponent and
can get blocks himself easier. Scheftic has even been increasing
his natural height advantage by rigorously lifting weights to
better his vertical jump. “Scheftic is hitting the ball so
high right now that he is getting kills even when there is a
blocker in his face,” Scates said. “Nick (Scheftic) is
in great shape right now and can really jump well, and the last
five matches he hasn’t come out (of the game) because he is
performing solidly every time he goes out there.” Even though
he has only a month of play left in his senior season, Scates still
believes that Scheftic can get even better. “He still
hasn’t reached his full potential, but he is peaking at just
the right time because the playoffs are coming up soon,”
Scates said.
BRUINS MOVE UP: After increasing their winning
streak to four by sweeping their two matches last weekend, the
Bruins moved up in the national rankings from No. 8 to No. 6.
“People are recognizing that this team is peaking right
now,” Scates said. “We’re going to make a big run
in the playoffs. To win the championship, we will have to win six
matches in a row, so it is good to see that this team is capable of
winning consistently.” UCLA’s ranking is its highest
since January, proving that the Bruins are moving in the right
direction with only four matches left before league playoffs begin.
“Our confidence is higher than it has been in a long time,
and we are beginning to realize that we can beat pretty much any
team,” Scheftic said.