Victory over USC essential for men’s volleyball
The men’s volleyball team faces the Trojans tonight one last time, but it is not worried.
UCLA stands at the most critical point in its season; every game determines its playoff standing.
Nevertheless, the Bruins remain confident enough at least for tonight’s match at USC’s Lyon Center.
“We had the best practice of the year (Monday), and if the dance class hadn’t come in at 5:30, we would have kept on going,” men’s volleyball head coach Al Scates said. “There’s no quitting on these guys.”
UCLA (13-12, 8-10 MPSF) holds the last position, eighth, in the conference tournament.
“It motivates us to play harder now that we need to win all four games,” senior captain and setter Rich Nelson said. “It’s also going to be the last time I get to play against USC.”
While the Trojans are switching Joao Grangeiro’s role from libero to outside hitter, the Bruins will also be mixing up the starting positions.
Instead of starting freshman Matt McKinney at opposite, redshirt junior Marcin Jagoda will start. Redshirt junior J.T. Wenger will also take the court for the Bruins.
Following the loss of senior quick hitter Scott Morrow after his finger injury during the game against Northridge, Paul Johnson and Matt Shubin will play as his replacement.
“I’m excited about the possibilities tonight,” Shubin said. “We’ve felt pretty good in practice, and I hope I can contribute something new to the team.”
Saul Zemaitaitis, who impressively came off the bench in the Northridge match, is competing for outside hitter along with Jesse Debban.
The uncertainties of a jumbled starting lineup may help the unranked USC squad, but the Bruins must take the match seriously as they have to win their remaining matches to guarantee playoff standing.
“In terms of the next few matches, we’re focusing on our side of the net,” Scates said.
“Though,” he added, “if we lose to USC, we’re pretty much out.”
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