The UCLA women’s volleyball escaped the first round of NCAA tournament play in Austin, Texas by beating American University in five sets, 26-28, 26-24, 23-25, 25-19, 15-11.
The Bruins held off the Eagles (29-3) in Gregory Gymnasium, despite falling several times in the seesaw match. The Bruins (22-8) kept the lead for most of the first set before the Eagles caught up with an 8-2 run, taking the lead at 22-21. There were four more lead changes in the set before the Eagles scored three in a row to win the set with 28 points.
The second set was even closer, as the largest score differential was a three-point lead by the Bruins twice in the set. Despite the 16 ties and six lead changes, UCLA was able to capitalize on American’s four attack errors, including one that gave the Bruins the set.
American kept a healthy lead for most of the third set before UCLA came back to take a 23-22 lead. However, the Bruins were unable to build on that momentum, and the Eagles scored another three straight points to win the set.
With momentum on their side, the Eagles came out to a fast 6-2 lead to start off the fourth set. With their season on the line, the Bruins pulled off a couple runs, including a stretch with seven straight points where senior outside hitter Dicey McGraw notched three kills. A late kill by sophomore opposite Rachael Kidder secured the set for UCLA.
The deciding set saw rallies by both teams, but UCLA was able to win five of the last six points, and another Kidder kill won the match, extending the Bruins’ season.
McGraw finished with 22 kills, with sophomore outside hitter Bojana Todorovic following with 17. On the defensive side, freshman middle blocker Mariana Aquino posted a career-high 10 blocks.
UCLA will be playing in Gregory Gymnasium again Saturday against Texas, which beat the University of Texas San Antonio 3-0 in a first-round match.