UCLA
Long Beach State (Wooden Center)
Bruins Sweep Visiting 49ers
March 31, 2006 | Men's Volleyball
March 31, 2006
Eighth-ranked UCLA swept No. 6 Long Beach State Friday in an MPSF match at UCLA's John Wooden Center.
The Bruins won 30-21, 30-28, 30-28 in 86 minutes before 473 fans. The victory raised UCLA's record to 15-12 overall, 7-10 in league play. The Beach fell to 17-8, 10-7. UCLA's victory also snapped a three-match losing streak to Long Beach State.
Friday's match turned in the middle of the first game with the score tied 10-10. UCLA senior Nick Scheftic stepped to the service line and served five straight points, including three consecutive aces to give the Bruins a 15-10 lead. Although The Beach cut the margin to one at 17-16, the Bruins' David Russell served seven points, including two straight aces to give the Bruins a 24-17 lead they never relinquished.
In the next two games, the Bruins managed to keep the score tight and moved ahead at key points to preserve the win. In Game 2 the teams were tied at 28-28 when UCLA's Steve Klosterman recorded a kill to give the Bruins a one-point advantage. A block by Scheftic and junior Paul George gave the Bruins the second game.
In Game 3, The Beach climbed back from a 27-23 deficit to narrow the margin at 29-28 after Scheftic committed a service error. But another UCLA block sent the 49ers to the showers with their second straight loss.
The Bruins enjoyed their best serving and hitting night of the season, recording six aces (all in Game 1) and hitting .424 for the match. They held The Beach to a .301 percentage and just 42 total kills.
Klosterman led UCLA with 14 kills (.379) and 15 points, followed by George with 13 kills (.476) and 14 points. Scheftic added 11 kills (.444), three aces and 15 points. Sophomore libero Tony Ker led UCLA with eight digs and setter Matt Wade distributed 40 assists and added six digs and two kills (1.000).
Duncan Budinger led The Beach with 20 kills (.412) and 21.5 points.
The Bruins will celebrate Senior Day tomorrow afternoon, honoring their five seniors in a 3 p.m. match at the Wooden Center. Admission is free.
