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At this point, the UCLA men’s volleyball team has pushed its chances of securing a position in the playoffs to the furthest limits.

Having experienced their worst season ever, the No. 10 Bruins are half a game behind Long Beach State for eighth place in the MPSF standings and now look toward matches against Stanford and Pacific to determine a possible playoff berth.

In order for the Bruins to make the playoffs for the 34th straight season, UCLA (14-13, 9-11 MPSF) must beat both Stanford (15-11, 12-8) and Pacific (18-11, 12-8). The matches will be held at Pauley Pavilion today and Saturday, respectively.

In addition to the two necessary victories, either Long Beach State must lose to UC Santa Barbara this weekend or UC Irvine must lose to both Stanford and Pacific for the Bruins to clinch a playoff berth. Because UCSB (9-19, 4-16) is not in contention for the postseason, UC Irvine losing both of its matches is more likely.

The Bruins do not control their own destiny. UCLA can only focus on its own capabilities to conclude the relatively dismal season.

“It’s been a downward spiral all year,” assistant coach Brian Rofer said. “We’re still not executing our own plays that well, so we’re not too worried about what the other teams have going on.”

The inconsistencies within the team are evident in the continuously shifting lineup of the starting players.

Having cleared the bench at Pepperdine last week, head coach Al Scates similarly anticipates substitutes in positions tonight.

“(This week) we had three long intense practices, and I think we’re ready to play,” Scates said. “We’ve played each of them with everybody else on the team, and I’d substitute anybody if they can contribute.”

Brennan Prahler and Matt McKinney are both vying for the position of starting outside. Matt Shubin and Paul Johnson are similarly competing at middle blocker on the courts.

“It’s been the story of this year, a lot of people switching in and out of the all of the positions,” middle blocker Chris Peña said. “No one’s safe. At this point in the season, we’re just hoping to get someone in to light it up.”

Having crushed Pacific and Stanford on a road trip up north in February, UCLA hopes to improve its cohesiveness and see if it can repeat those performances. However, with Stanford’s Curt Toppel back on the courts and UCLA middle blocker Scott Morrow out of the season due to injury, it could be a completely different match.

“It would be a dream come true for Stanford to push us out of the playoffs,” Scates said.

“What has needed to happen this season hasn’t,” Peña said. “Now, it’s either you have it or you don’t.”