Jan. 28, 2000
HONOLULU - In the fight to the finish, top-ranked UCLA outlasted Hawai'i in five grueling sets to claim its fourth Outrigger Hotels Volleyball Invitational title, Friday night. UCLA's Ed Ratledge, who prior to the match played in just seven games this season, set a new tournament record with 43 kills to lead the Bruins to a 6-15, 15-13, 15-12, 12-15, 17-15 victory.
The match lasted a tournament-record three hours and 16 minutes and was played in front of 7,050 at the Stan Sheriff Center, the largest to watch the Rainbows this season. Clay Stanley pounded a season-high 34 kills to rally the 'Bows from a two games to one deficit. Setter Stefan Krejci directed a well-balanced attack for Hawai'i (4-2) as five starters had over 11 kills and no hitter hit below .353 in the match.
Tournament Most Outstanding Player Brandon Taliaferro had many options as well but found success in one area. Setting the ball to Ratledge. Hawai'i fans hounded the senior throughout the match because of a confrontation he had with Krejci during warm-ups. Still he managed to confuse the Rainbow block in setting a new career-high for kills on .508 hitting.
The Rainbows stormed out of the locker rooms to start the match jumping out to a quick 7-0 lead. Hawai'i built their lead to 10-2 before the Bruins mounted a mini-comeback closing to 11-6. But three quick points off Eyal Zimet's serve gave the 'Bows game point. Krejci stuffed UCLA's Cameron Mount to give the 'Bows the one game advantage.
In the see saw second game, the Bruins finally took their first lead of the match, catching Hawai'i at 5-4. UCLA (8-0) increased it to 8-4 before the 'Bows went on a 7-1 run to retake the lead, 11-9. Stanley hit into the huge UCLA block twice as the Bruins forged ahead once more, this time for good. On the Bruins seventh serve for the game, Taliaferro smartly dumped a pass over the net, fooling the Rainbow defense, evening up the match.
The momentum-shifting third game featured a late Bruin rally, resulting in a 2-1 lead for UCLA. Down 10-6 and the crowd roaring for the 'Bows, the Bruins persevered, eventually tying the game at 11 on back-to-back aces by Taliaferro and quick hitter Seth Burnham. A pair of Ratledge kills gave the Bruins game point and on their sixth try, blocked UH's Brenton Davis.
The fourth and fifth games showcased some of the best volleyball action in this new century. Both teams traded blow for blow, UCLA behind the southpawed Ratledge and Hawai'i behind the dominating force of Stanley. The Rainbows built a 13-8 lead in the fourth but let it slip away. Three consecutive Bruin blocks closed Hawai'i's lead to 13-12. But Davis would not let UCLA celebrate just yet as he was in on two blocks to end the game and send it to a rally-scoring fifth.
In the deciding game, no team held a lead greater than one point. When one team scored a real point, the other was equally up to the challenge. The first match point belonged to the Rainbows at 14-13. During that rally, Hawai'i had three swings for the championship but twice UCLA's Matt Davis came up with match-saving digs to keep UCLA alive. The Bruins eventually won the point and took the next to giving them their first match point. Taliaferro committed a service error allowing the 'Bows to tie it at 15 but Davis simply returned the favor sending his serve long. The very next serve, UCLA ended it on Ratledge's 43rd and final kill.
It was a classic Outrigger Invitational final as either UCLA or Hawai'i have won all six tournament crowns. The Bruins have won the last three titles. The two teams will meet again later this season in mid-March.
The Rainbows return to the court next week, hosting UC Irvine on Friday, Feb. 4. Match time is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Sheriff Center.