This post was updated Oct. 16 at 8:57 p.m.
Discomfort often breeds growth.
Many people highlight the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone to help facilitate identity exploration.
And one of the Bruins’ defining attributes is their ability to thrive in unfamiliar environments.
No. 23 UCLA women’s volleyball (10-6, 4-2 Big Ten) will face No. 9 Wisconsin (12-2, 5-1) on Friday at the UW Field House before battling Iowa (10-8, 1-5) on Sunday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Bruins boast an undefeated road conference record heading into the contests.
Coach Alfee Reft’s squad defeated Ohio State and Penn State at the Covelli Center and Rec Hall, respectively, to kickstart its conference campaign last month. Both programs are notorious for drawing large crowds that challenge visiting teams with fans’ consistent shouts and jeers.
UCLA then swept Minnesota in front of 4,700 attendees at Maturi Pavilion on Oct. 8, following its initial Big Ten road triumphs.
The Bruins have seemingly embraced ostensible discomfort.
“We honestly thrive off that kind of energy,” said graduate student middle blocker Phekran Kong after UCLA’s win against Minnesota. “The student section is there. The band is wailing. It puts us in the mood.”
UCLA’s schedule at the start of the 2025 campaign may have driven the squad’s need to find comfort outside of Pauley Pavilion.
The Bruins have played the fewest home games out of any Big Ten program, with just three so far this season. They have also completed a conference-most 11 road matches. The squad did not see action at Pauley Pavilion until Oct. 4, despite starting the 2025 campaign more than a month prior.
“We traveled a lot through our preseason,” Reft said. “I think we understand the rhythms of the road. That seems to be where we’re most comfortable.”
Still, the Bruins did not achieve immediate success away from home.
UCLA lost three out of its first four away games, falling twice to TCU and posting a sub-.200 hitting percentage in each of the team’s losses during that span.
Reft’s team has won five of its last six away affairs since then, with Stanford accounting for UCLA’s sole visiting defeat throughout the latter stretch.
Perhaps the most glaring characteristic of the Bruins’ recent road success is their ability to orchestrate an efficient attack, even when crowds try to disrupt their chemistry.
The Bruin attack sported 163 combined kills on a .251 average hitting percentage across its last three away performances, which is largely thanks to sophomore setter Kate Duffey’s impact. The Ventura, California, local posts 9.58 assists per frame and has helped stabilize the team’s offensive approach this season after fully taking over the starting role Sept. 21.
“Playing in other arenas where there’s big crowds that are made against you is tough, but I think that our team really takes that challenge and runs with it,” Duffey said. “It’s so fun to shut down a team in their own gym.”
A formidable defense is required to stack road victories when away crowds try to disrupt a team’s service line and attacking approach.
UCLA stifled Minnesota at the net in its last away contest, tying a season-high 12 blocks and limiting Minnesota’s attack to a .089 clip in Kong’s return from her two-week absence.
Sophomore libero Lola Schumacher – who averages a conference-high 4.27 digs per set – notched a combined 63 digs across her last 12 sets in opposing arenas.
The Bruins’ stalwart defensive performance bolsters the team’s overall hustle, said senior outside hitter Cheridyn Leverette, which is especially important when the opposing crowd hopes to drain a rival’s energy.
Yet, Wisconsin and Iowa will likely challenge UCLA’s road domination.
Both teams have lost a collective three games out of their 17 combined home contests this season. Wisconsin leads the nation in average attendance with more than 8,600 attendees per match and has yet to lose a home affair since Texas swept it Aug. 31. Iowa has lost just two games at Carver-Hawkeye Arena this season.
The Bruins are excited for the upcoming two-game travel slate despite their opponents’ prowess at their respective home stadiums, reflecting a mentality that the Bruins have fostered this season – seek discomfort.
“Our team knows how to travel, and we’re excited to be in another big environment,” Reft said.
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