Fans were radiating with a striking spin of energy. The No. 1 UCLA men’s volleyball team (3-0,1-0 MPSF) struck a win of 3-1 against the No. 16 Ball State (3-1,0-0 MIVA). The Bruins sprung with excitement this Saturday night as they entered the First Point Collegiate Challenge at the Phoenix Convention Center in Arizona.
The first set started off with Ball State retaining their control over the ball. Shot after shot and a lead of two kills took UCLA by a surprise, causing minor serving errors. In the pursuit of the heat, UCLA’s senior middle blocker Cameron Thorne, strikes a point-taking kill with an assist from UCLA’s senior setter senior Andrew Rowan bringing up the score to a balance of 4-4. The ball was back and forth, things were getting rocky as the speed of the game increased.
UCLA grew fast on their toes to take back their lead of the game. The ball flew quick into several rallies between the two teams. Errors grew on both teams as the stakes began to rise. UCLA’s redshirt junior opposite hitter David Decker came in roared in with a kill, assisted by Rowan. Trajectories of the game began picking up with UCLA leading pairs of kills, that followed with two errors towards the end. The Bruins finished Set 2 with a score of 26-24.
Decker led UCLA back into pace entering the third set. At a neck-to-neck score of 7-7 Decker served an ace and entirely flipping the switch of the third game. Decker brought in several kills, with most assisted by Rowan. UCLA fell into a tie with Ball State. UCLA’s sophomore setter Trent Taliaferro helped the Bruins by forcing a ball on Ball State. The score remained in a tight knot next to one another heading into the final set.
The final set was filled with tension as the tie continued forward. In quick efforts, Decker led to the Bruins into an effective rally, ending the tie and bringing the score up to 11-8. The impact of the rally didn’t end there, UCLA’s sophomore outside hitter Sean Kelly brought in another point for the Bruins with a kill. The Bruins were picking up the pace, matching one another’s best efforts in taking the lead in the final set with a score of 25-20. The Bruins ended with the score of 3-1.
UCLA’s senior outside hitter Zach Rama said “continuing to focus on our side of the net.” UCLA met close with Ball State as the Bruins reveal what strove the team towards success the final set of the intense battle. Rama said “Its huge. It’s not an often opportunity” on what it means to play in the First Point Collegiate Challenge.
The Bruins will continue the First Point Collegiate Challenge on Sunday against No. 6 Loyola Chicago, at 6 p.m. PST.
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Featured Image via BruinLife Archives
