With the win, the Bruins improved to 18-4 overall and 8-1 in conference play, posting an impressive .408 clip as a team. Outside hitter Zach Rama led all scorers with 18 kills, while outside hitter Sean Kelly had an efficient night with 13 kills on .571 hitting. Outside hitter Cooper Robinson chipped in 14 kills to round out UCLA’s trio of double-digit attackers.
Setter Andrew Rowan was outstanding, distributing a season-high 55 assists and contributing three of UCLA’s 12 service aces. Rowan also moved closer to the 3,000-assist milestone in his career, now sitting at 2,965.
Defensively, middle blocker Sean McQuiggan was a force at the net, notching two solo blocks and four block assists while also adding key kills throughout the night.
BYU (17-8, 5-4 MPSF) came out strong in the opening set, jumping to an early lead and holding off a late UCLA push to take it 22-25.
The Bruins responded in dominating fashion in the second set, pulling away with a five-serve run that featured two aces from outside hitter Kahale Clini, who entered as a serving sub. UCLA closed out the set 25-15 to even the match at one set apiece.
The third was a back-and-forth battle early on before UCLA built a cushion behind clutch serving and steady play from McQuiggan and Kelly. Rowan sealed the set with a crafty tip, giving UCLA a 25-21 win and a 2-1 edge.
BYU refused to go quietly in the fourth, fighting off multiple momentum swings and eventually edging the Bruins 25-27 in a tense finish to force a deciding fifth set.
UCLA came out firing in the final frame, surging to a 4-0 start and extending the lead to 8-3 with middle blocker Cameron Thorne and McQuiggan continuing to make key plays. BYU clawed back and took a late lead at 17-16, but the Bruins kept their composure. A huge kill from Robinson tied things up, and a Cougar attack error gave UCLA match point. The night ended fittingly with a monster block from McQuiggan and Robinson, clinching the 19-17 win and the match.
The Bruins and Cougars will square off again Saturday 5 p.m. at Pauley Pavilion, with the match airing live on Big Ten Network.
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The UCLA Men's Volleyball Team embraces after earning the point in the second set of the match. Photographed by Cathryn Kuczynski/BruinLife.
Sophomore Kahale Clini makes his way to the back of the court to serve for UCLA. Photographed by Cathryn Kuczynski/BruinLife.
Middle Blocker Cameron Thorne jump serves the ball, kicking off the rally against opponent BYU. Photographed by Cathryn Kuczynski/BruinLife.
Freshman Sean Kelly and redshirt junior Cooper Robinson prepare for the serve from BYU. Photographed by Cathryn Kuczynski/BruinLife.
The team screams in celebration after earning the point after an extended rally. Photographed by Cathryn Kuczynski/BruinLife.
UCLA’s Sean McQuiggan leaps high down the middle to deliver a powerful spike. Photographed by Ryan Zhang/BruinLife.
UCLA's Cooper Robinson leaps high to spike the ball over BYU blockers. Photographed by Ryan Zhang/BruinLife.
UCLA celebrates as it clinches the third set, taking a 2–1 lead. Photographed by Ryan Zhang/BruinLife.
