On Sunday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion, UCLA (13-9, 7-5 Big Ten) beat Washington (10-12, 5-7 Big Ten). Marianna Singletary delivered one of the most impressive performances of her UCLA career, with a career-high 16 kills and four blocks (one solo), finishing with a game-best of 18.5 points.
The Bruins start off the opening set with high energy and intensity, thanks to middle blocker #11 Singletary’s dominant slide attacks and #8 Maggie Li’s sharp back row skills. The two teams traded points through long rallies, with Washington briefly pulling ahead 15-12 before the Bruins stormed back defensively and tied it at 16. Li’s ace out of the timeout and Kate Duffey’s well-timed dump reignited UCLA’s rhythm, while Singletary continued to find holes in the Husky defense. With teamwork and late-set composure, the Bruins sealed the first set 25-20 behind Singletary’s deep corner kill.
UCLA did not start off strong during the second set, down 0-3. They got their first point after a kill by #9 Cheridyn Leverette, bringing some momentum to their side. Several long rallies and Washington errors helped the Bruins tie it 5-5. A strong block by Li and #4 Brooklyn Briscoe put UCLA ahead 7-5. Later in the set, a challenge by the Huskies on a close play was reviewed and replayed after officials determined the ball did not touch the floor. A big block from Li and Singletary sent the crowd into cheers and on set point, Briscoe ended the set with a slide kill, giving UCLA the win, 25-20.
The third set began with Singletary hitting the ball out of bounds, but after a successful challenge by Coach Alfee, the point was awarded to UCLA. The Bruins started strong with a 4-1 lead, highlighted by smart hitting from Li. Washington quickly responded, tying the score 5-5 and then taking control after several UCLA errors. The Huskies extended their lead to 13-7, forcing a UCLA timeout. Despite a brief Bruins push late in the set, Washington closed it out 25-20 to force a fourth.
The fourth set began with Washington scoring first, Singletary answered with a block to tie it 1-1. Both teams traded points until UCLA tied the score 6-6 with a block by Li. #22 Kat Lutz added an ace to give the Bruins a small edge, and UCLA’s momentum grew after an incredible diving save from libero Lola Schumacher that fired up the crowd and forced a Washington timeout. After a timeout from Coach Alfie, the Bruins closed out the set and match with Li’s 13th kill, winning 25-22.
Setter Duffey and blocker Singletary dominated the game with Duffey getting 22 digs and Singletary with an impressive 16 kills. UCLA will travel to Eugene, Oregon to face the Ducks on Thursday, Nov. 6.
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Featured Image Photographed by Siena Hunt/BruinLife
