This post was updated April 29 at 10:30 p.m.
The service line often drives success in volleyball.
It can make or break a set, match or even a season. And despite UCLA men’s volleyball’s struggles from the back line – committing a nation-leading 603 service errors and averaging 6.15 per set – the team continued to flourish.
“Every team will tell you that it’s all about serving,” said coach John Hawks. “We spend time on our ability to tactically serve and exert pressure.”
Although UCLA has sported a .367 hitting percentage – the third-highest in the nation – the squad’s service line blunders have negated the attack’s contributions and have cost the team crucial sets and matches.
In the Bruins’ six losses this season, only one opponent recorded more kills. But the squad committed more service errors in five of those matches, including 26 in a four-set loss to Long Beach State on Feb. 7 and 28 in the MPSF Semifinal loss to Pepperdine on Friday.
“It’s really hard to assess if it’s a great serve, and it depends on what the (opposing team) is doing,” said redshirt junior outside hitter Cooper Robinson. “We really want to dial in on serving.”
And even in UCLA’s triumphs this season, the backline has marred the team’s success.
The Bruins have committed more back line errors than their opponents in 17 of their 20 victories, making it harder to close out games.
Especially late in the season, the team’s service issues worsened
Four out of the Bruin’s last six games have been pushed to a fifth set, accruing 246 total kills across these five-set games while averaging 32.8 service errors per contest. During this stretch, UCLA set a season-high 42 service errors in its victory against Grand Canyon on April 5.
“I think that they’ll be the first to tell you that they got to be better from the service line,” Hawks said. “That’s a part of the game that’s going to improve, and we haven’t seen anywhere near where these guys are capable of going.”
The serving philosophy former Bruin coach John Speraw ingrained into the program may be the reason for UCLA’s persistent service shortcomings. The last time the team accumulated less than 500 service errors came during the 2021 season.
“As Bruins, the serving motto is to just go rip it,” said junior outside hitter Zach Rama. “That’s what got us these two past national championships.”
Despite the errors, this service game plan has also contributed to the Bruins’ ace production.
UCLA boasted two-straight seasons where the group averaged at least 1.9 aces per set in 2023 and 2024, winning the national championship in both campaigns under the tutelage of Speraw.
And this season has been no exception, with Hawks embracing his mentor’s perspective.
“When you have to get a team off the net, you have to serve tough and take gambles,” Hawks said.
UCLA’s approach from the service line has helped it register 1.97 aces per set this year, which ranks fourth in the nation. And despite falling in the MPSF semifinals to eventual champion Pepperdine on Friday, UCLA delivered 15 aces in the affair.
The Bruins’ serving unit has been without steady contributions from senior Ido David, who has been hampered by a knee injury since February.
The outside hitter/opposite has amassed 126 aces across his four-year career at UCLA and has recorded 29 this season despite playing just 53 sets.
However, David’s accuracy seems to set him apart from the rest of the Bruins’ service arsenal.
The 2023 AVCA First Team All-American has committed just 59 service errors this season, sporting a .49 ace-to-service-error ratio to complement his team-leading .55 aces per set.
David’s injury could sideline him from the NCAA tournament, leaving the squad’s back line without the serving consistency he provides among a seemingly inconsistent unit.
Just as matches are often won or lost from the service line, the Bruins’ three-peat hopes may depend on it as well.
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