UCLA
USC
Bruins Fall in Four to Trojans
January 13, 2010 | Men's Volleyball
Jan. 13, 2010
The UCLA men's volleyball team fell in four games to top-ranked USC Wednesday in the MPSF opener for both teams.
USC won 30-26, 29-31, 30-26, 30-28 in two hours and 10 minutes in front a rowdy crowd of 3,106 at Pauley Pavilion. The Trojans improved to 3-1 overall, 1-0 in league play. The Bruins fell to 1-3, 0-1.
In Game 2, the Bruins rallied from a five-point deficit to tie the set at 27-27 on an ace by senior Kevin Ker. After a point by USC, the Bruins tied it again on a kill by senior Garrett Muagututia. USC scored again on a kill by Austin Zahn, but the Bruins answered with a kill from sophomore Jack Polales. A block by sophomores Nick Vogel and Kyle Caldwell and an ace by Thomas Amberg gave the Bruins the set.
In Game 4, the Bruins rallied from a three-point hole to tie the game at 16-16. Neither team took charge until USC scored three straight points after falling behind 27-28.
Polales led the Bruins with a career high of 25 kills (.422) and 25.5 points, followed by Muagututia who added 21 kills and a match high of 15 digs. Jeremy Casebeer was the next highest Bruin with seven kills (.364) and 8.5 points.
Junior Murphy Troy led USC with 18 kills (.324), followed by 14 apiece from Tony Ciarelli and Tri Bourne.
UCLA will host Pepperdine Fri., Jan. 15 in the 33rd Annual Kilgour Cup beginning at 7 p.m. in Pauley Pavilion.
For UCLA's complete 2010 schedule, click here.
