Post by Mac on Feb 23, 2007 12:18:41 GMT -5
UCLA and UCSB is High School and Club Volleyball Night. To register a team for free admission, please call 310-206-3444
www.dailybruin.com/news/2007/feb/23/mens_volleyball_face_ucsb_third_time/
Men’s volleyball to face UCSB for third time
Allister Wenzel
Published: Friday, February 23, 2007
If men’s volleyball is looking for an opportunity to turn this season into a championship run, the first step could come this weekend at Pauley Pavilion.
No. 3 UC Santa Barbara (12-4, 10-3 MPSF) will come to Los Angeles to face No. 7 UCLA (9-7, 7-6) for the third time this season after splitting the previous two matches back in January.
If the Bruins are able to defeat the Gauchos, as they have been able to do once already this season, they would certainly climb the national and conference rankings.
However, both teams have matured and this is not the same matchup that occurred back in January.
After going through some growing pains, the Bruins have finally been able to play an effective lineup to deliver the much-needed victories in a competitive Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. And as of recently, the ability of freshman setter Kevin Ker to locate the hot hitter has produced wonders for the Bruins.
Wednesday night against Cal State Northridge epitomized this, as senior Steve Klosterman was able to rack up a career high 31 kills and a 0.667 attack percentage in just three games, turning what was meant to be a tough matchup into a sweep for UCLA.
If they continue with such form, then today may contain a golden opportunity for the Bruins to make a run at the rankings.
Freshman setter Kevin Ker (left) has been a big help for the Bruins.
Jamie Diefenbach gets the set in the middle, right.
The Gauchos have also improved since January. Since losing to the Bruins on Jan. 5, the Gauchos have put up very impressive numbers, winning 11 of the last 14 matches.
Up to this week, they led the MPSF in hitting percentage with 0.372 and kills per game with 16.51. Senior Evan Patak led the nation in aces per game with 1.1 and fourth in kills per game with five.
“They have the best hitter in the country,” UCLA coach Al Scates said. “He’s hard to stop. The night we stopped him ... he came out and served five straight points to start the first game. He hits a very hard serve.”
But another factor was thrown into the mix Wednesday night as UCSB suffered a loss to No. 2 UC Irvine.
The Gauchos took the first game 30-22, but then lost three straight, 30-27, 30-18 and 30-25, putting a halt to their four-match winning streak. Even with a match-high 26 kills from Patak, the Gauchos couldn’t overtake the Anteaters. This could give UCSB more fire and more determination to win today and bounce back from the loss.
The only thing for certain is that today’s matchup will provide a good fight between two teams with a lot to gain.
“They’re gonna be coming for us big time,” Klosterman said. “They don’t want to lose to us since they’re ranked higher. Patak is a pretty big force to be dealing with and he hits a pretty hard ball so we’ll be looking to contain him.”
PROMOTIONAL OFFER: Free T-shirts will be given away to the first 200 people at today’s game against UCSB. Fans with a ticket from the men’s basketball game against California will receive free admission.
Fans can also enter to win a “Dinner for Two” at BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse.
www.dailybruin.com/news/2007/feb/23/mens_volleyball_face_ucsb_third_time/
Men’s volleyball to face UCSB for third time
Allister Wenzel
Published: Friday, February 23, 2007
If men’s volleyball is looking for an opportunity to turn this season into a championship run, the first step could come this weekend at Pauley Pavilion.
No. 3 UC Santa Barbara (12-4, 10-3 MPSF) will come to Los Angeles to face No. 7 UCLA (9-7, 7-6) for the third time this season after splitting the previous two matches back in January.
If the Bruins are able to defeat the Gauchos, as they have been able to do once already this season, they would certainly climb the national and conference rankings.
However, both teams have matured and this is not the same matchup that occurred back in January.
After going through some growing pains, the Bruins have finally been able to play an effective lineup to deliver the much-needed victories in a competitive Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. And as of recently, the ability of freshman setter Kevin Ker to locate the hot hitter has produced wonders for the Bruins.
Wednesday night against Cal State Northridge epitomized this, as senior Steve Klosterman was able to rack up a career high 31 kills and a 0.667 attack percentage in just three games, turning what was meant to be a tough matchup into a sweep for UCLA.
If they continue with such form, then today may contain a golden opportunity for the Bruins to make a run at the rankings.
Freshman setter Kevin Ker (left) has been a big help for the Bruins.
Jamie Diefenbach gets the set in the middle, right.
The Gauchos have also improved since January. Since losing to the Bruins on Jan. 5, the Gauchos have put up very impressive numbers, winning 11 of the last 14 matches.
Up to this week, they led the MPSF in hitting percentage with 0.372 and kills per game with 16.51. Senior Evan Patak led the nation in aces per game with 1.1 and fourth in kills per game with five.
“They have the best hitter in the country,” UCLA coach Al Scates said. “He’s hard to stop. The night we stopped him ... he came out and served five straight points to start the first game. He hits a very hard serve.”
But another factor was thrown into the mix Wednesday night as UCSB suffered a loss to No. 2 UC Irvine.
The Gauchos took the first game 30-22, but then lost three straight, 30-27, 30-18 and 30-25, putting a halt to their four-match winning streak. Even with a match-high 26 kills from Patak, the Gauchos couldn’t overtake the Anteaters. This could give UCSB more fire and more determination to win today and bounce back from the loss.
The only thing for certain is that today’s matchup will provide a good fight between two teams with a lot to gain.
“They’re gonna be coming for us big time,” Klosterman said. “They don’t want to lose to us since they’re ranked higher. Patak is a pretty big force to be dealing with and he hits a pretty hard ball so we’ll be looking to contain him.”
PROMOTIONAL OFFER: Free T-shirts will be given away to the first 200 people at today’s game against UCSB. Fans with a ticket from the men’s basketball game against California will receive free admission.
Fans can also enter to win a “Dinner for Two” at BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse.
