Bruins tame the Cougars, securing spot in playoffs

Published: Monday, March 31, 1997

Monday, March 31, 1997

M.VOLLEYBALL:

UCLA bests BYU through its blocks, kills and defenseBy Jennifer Kollenborn

Daily Bruin Contributor

While most UCLA students were relaxing over spring break, the UCLA men's volleyball team was busy securing its spot in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation playoffs.

Last week the Bruins traveled to Provo, Utah, where No. 3 UCLA defeated No. 1 Brigham Young University in two consecutive matches.

In UCLA's first match against BYU on Thursday, UCLA won 16-18, 15-9, 15-12, 15-9.

In the Bruins' second game on Friday against the Cougars, UCLA defeated BYU in a tight five-game match 15-9, 4-15, 15-10, 10-15, 18-16.

Despite the Cougars' near-capacity crowd of 5,032 on Thursday, UCLA managed to win all games but the first.

"They deserved the victory," BYU's assistant coach Hugh McCutcheon said. In the end, some bad calls at crucial times and mistakes made by the Cougars cost them the match, McCutcheon said.

The entire match lasted over two and a half hours before UCLA emerged the victor. The Bruins' attack gave them an edge as they outhit the Cougars .340 to .265. UCLA's freshman Adam Naeve led the team with 38 kills for a team high percentage of .714.

UCLA also had a strong defense; the Bruins outblocked the Cougars 23 to 11. UCLA's Tom Stillwell led the team with 10 blocks.

Amidst all the intensity, BYU's head coach, Carl McGown, was jumping out of his seat yelling. Meanwhile, Bruin captain Paul Nihipali who spiked 32 for UCLA was yellow-carded after disagreeing with a call made by a referee.

UCLA beat the Cougars again on Friday night in five close games.

BYU's freshman Rich Lambourne was the man of the night with 28 kills.

After four intense games, the crowd's noise rose to a feverish pitch as fans tried to cheer the Cougars to victory. However, the fifth game went to rallying score, and the Bruins thwarted BYU's hopes of victory, barely winning 18-16.

UCLA's strong defense was once again a big factor. UCLA outblocked its opponent 23 to 20, thus overcoming being outhit by the Cougars .319 to .260.

UCLA's two victories over BYU gives them an overall record of 16-3, 12-2 in the MPSF, and leaves BYU at 16-3, 12-3 in the conference.

The two victories extended UCLA's lead in the series to 24-2.

This week the Bruins host Loyola Marymount at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Pauley Pavilion, and Pepperdine on Friday, again at 7 p.m. in Pauley Pavilion.