UCLA
Cal State Northridge
Bruins Take Home Opener 3-1 over the Matadors
January 19, 2011 | Men's Volleyball
Jan. 19, 2011
Los Angeles -
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The 3rd ranked UCLA men's volleyball team opened MPSF conference play with a win against Cal State Northridge 3-1.
The Bruins are now 6-1 (1-0) on the year and are riding a five-game winning streak. Game scores were 25-19, 25-19, 22-25, 25-17.
Tonight the Bruins were led by a trio of players: outside hitter Jeremy Casebeer, quick hitter Thomas Amberg and quick hitter Weston Dunlap. Casebeer hammered home 10 kills and contributed 7 digs as well. Meanwhile, Amberg equaled Casebeer's mark with 10 kills of his own and added 5 block assists. Thomas also served 3 aces including 2 back-to-back in the 4th set. Dunlap had a game-high 6 block assists and was right behind Casebeer and Amberg with 9 kills.
Junior setter Kyle Caldwell also played a big part in the victory after missing the first six games with an injury. Caldwell's presence was a big boost to the team, as he led all players with 40 assists and chimed in with 3 kills and 4 block assists. Freshman Gonzalo Quiroga also played well, scoring 9 kills and 6 digs in the victory.
Overall, the Bruins hit .295 as a team while holding Northridge to just .195. UCLA also outblocked the Matadors 17-9. Brandon Lebrock led Cal State Northridge with 12 kills in the loss.
UCLA's next match will be Friday, January 21st, against the Long Beach State 49ers at 7:00 p.m. The two teams met back on January 8th with the Bruins overcoming a 2-0 deficit to beat the 49ers and take 3rd place at the Santa Barbara Invitational.
