| Men’s Volleyball |
|---|
| UCLA — 3 |
| Long Beach — 2 |
Not many teams can pull off a game changing comeback. Especially after dropping the first two sets against a top-two opponent. But No.1 UCLA men’s volleyball (9-0, 2-0 MPSF) flipped the script Thursday night, rallying past No.2 Long Beach State (8-1, 0-0 Big West) in a dramatic five-set showdown and seizing control when it mattered most to secure triumph at the Walter Pyramid.
The Bruins delivered a gritty win Thursday night, rallying from a two-set deficit to defeat No. 2 Long Beach State in five sets. The Bruins earned the comeback victory by set scores of 16–25, 22–25, 25–22, 25–19, 15–10, showcasing poise and balance in a match that switched the game winning side in the final three sets.
Long Beach State controlled the opening two sets, using efficient offense to keep UCLA off balance early. The Bruins struggled offensively in the first set as Long Beach ended the set far ahead with 25–16. Long Beach continued their momentum in the second set, and beat UCLA 25–22 to take a two-set lead.
Facing elimination, UCLA responded with urgency in the third set. They played with strong defense and demonstrated strong offense as well. The Bruins were able to build a lead towards the end of the set due to two kills from sophomore outside hitter Sean Kelly to close the set with a win of 25–22.
The Bruins carried that energy into the fourth set, taking control early. The Bruins gained a 8-5 lead thanks to a kill by redshirt junior opposite David Decker. UCLA continued to play the set with strong offense and a kill by redshirt junior middle blocker Christopher Hersh off an assist from senior setter Andrew Rowan made the score 17–14. Then a Long Beach attack error pushed the score to 18–14. Towards the end of the set with UCLA leading 23–18, kills from Kelly and senior outside hitter Zach Rama closed out the set 25–19, forcing the exciting match into a decisive fifth.
In the final set, UCLA was in command from the opening serve. The Bruins gained a 4-2 lead early despite strong pressure from Long Beach State’s Jake Pazanti, and Rama delivered crucial kills early on to maintain separation in their lead. UCLA never trailed in the set despite close calls and triumphantly closed out the match 15–10. The victory was sealed on Rowan’s service ace, sealing the Bruins’ miraculous comeback.
With the win, UCLA now ranks No.1 in men’s volleyball, and they will remain on the road to face Vanguard in Costa Mesa on Friday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m. PST. The Bruins will then return to Pauley Pavilion to host CSUN on Feb. 13, followed by a highly anticipated rematch against Long Beach State on Feb. 20.
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Featured Image via BruinLife Archives
