They waited over eight months, but the UCLA men’s volleyball team is now done waiting. Conference play, where a first-place finish brings an automatic bid to the Final Four, has finally arrived.

The No. 3 Bruins (7-1, 2-0 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) opened conference play with back-to-back 3-0 wins against No. 4 Stanford (3-1, 1-1) and Pacific (3-3, 1-2). The conference opener against Stanford was coach Al Scates’ 50th and final one, and UCLA didn’t disappoint him.

Against Stanford, Scates’ abundant coaching experience was put to good use. With the Bruins’ struggling after giving up a six point lead in the first set against the Cardinal, he subbed in redshirt sophomore outside hitter Matt Hanley defensively for one play.

Hanley immediately rewarded his coach’s decision by digging the next Stanford serve. Senior quick hitterThomas Amberg capitalized on Hanley’s defense with a kill and UCLA stole the momentum back. The Bruins closed out the set 25-23.

UCLA was able to overcome six service errors in the final set with stifling defense to hold on for the sweep. They held the Cardinal to an abysmal .037 hitting percentage. Redshirt senior outside hitter Jeremy Casebeer led the defense with a game-high 11 digs.

“Jeremy was playing such good defense today. The best I’ve ever seen (him play),” Scates said.

The Bruins also highlighted their dominant offense Friday, more than doubling Stanford in hitting percentage during the match. The driving force behind many of UCLA’s kills was senior setter Kyle Caldwell, who had a game-high 31 assists and completely controlled the game.

Sophomore outside hitter Gonzalo Quiroga stepped up against Stanford with his crafty play. He mixed in power kills, lobs and accurate line shots to keep Stanford guessing all night. His 16 kills led both teams.

“When he gets excited and his adrenaline gets up, he’s a different player. Tonight he was great,” Scates said. “I had him out for one play, and I put him right back in. He wanted the ball tonight.”

In contrast to Friday’s powerhouse matchup, the Bruins entered Saturday’s match against Pacific as heavy favorites. But last year UCLA struggled against inferior teams, continually playing down to the competition. Against the Tigers, the Bruins were determined to end last year’s trend.

“In the past our team has really not showed up to games that we didn’t feel like were as important,” said redshirt senior quick hitter Weston Dunlap. “But this year we realize every game is just as important because we really want to win league and get that bid to the Final Four.”

After pouncing on Pacific 25-17 in the first set, the second set proved to be a tougher challenge for UCLA. Clinging to a 20-18 lead, the Bruins turned to Dunlap and Quiroga. Dunlap smashed consecutive kills and Quiroga followed with back-to-back service aces to help UCLA take the set.

Caldwell once again ran the show, helping UCLA to an overwhelming .442 hitting percentage and keeping the Tigers’ blockers from guessing where the ball was going throughout the match.

Pacific came into the game averaging more than four blocks a set, but only had one all night against UCLA.

“We were passing so well in my rotations so I was able to get up early and on time. And the opportunities were just there for me to hit,” said Amberg, who had 10 kills on a season-high .909 hitting percentage against Pacific. “Kyle was putting the ball in the perfect spot, no low sets no high sets, everything was just right.”