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Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,118
MVB: #3 UCLA begins series at #1 LBSU tonight 7pm ESPN+
Posted Fri, Feb 07 9:38 am
The #3-ranked UCLA men's volleyball squad begins a crucial home-and-home series against #1 Long Beach State tonight at the Walter Pyramid with first serve at 7pm PT (streaming on ESPN+). The Bruins won the 2nd straight national championship at the Pyramid last May, and tonight's rematch has been sold out for weeks. The two teams play at Pauley next Wednesday at 7pm PT (streaming on B1G+).

https://uclabruins.com/news/2025/2/5/mens-volleyball-no-3-mvb-plays-at-no-1-long-beach-state-friday-night

The Bruins come into the match with a 6-1 record, with 5 of those wins coming against ranked teams. But, they've not looked particularly dominant. Under new coach John Hawks, UCLA is still working out their lineup, particularly at libero. Last season, UCLA had similar issues at that defensive position, and began the season with a 5-2 record while dropping to #5 in the rankings.

The Beach comes into the match with an 8-0 record. But, they've only played 2 ranked teams so far (a 3-1 win over #12 Lewis and a 3-2 nailbiter win over #11 Pepperdine), and had a lot of trouble putting away Pepperdine. They have a potent offense with the highest hitting percentage in the NCAA (UCLA has the 5th highest hitting %).

Among the teams I've seen so far (the volleyball coverage on B1G+ has been great), #2 UC Irvine looks dangerous and they've played a tougher schedule. The Bruins have a home-and-home series against the Anteaters next weekend.
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,118
MVB: #3 UCLA loses series opener vs #1 LBSU
Posted Sun, Feb 09 3:49 pm
In response to MVB: #3 UCLA begins series at #1 LBSU tonight 7pm ESPN+ (Woochifer)
Like last year, the Bruins lost the opening match of their home-and-home series against Long Beach State. The Bruins were outhit in the match by a decent margin. They will need to regroup for Wednesday's rematch at Pauley. Last season, UCLA was reeling going into their back to back series against UC Irvine and Long Beach State. They had dropped to #5 following losses to Ohio State and UCSB. But, they went 3-1 in those showdown matches, two of which went down to the wire, and riding that momentum the Bruins did not lose another regular season match.

https://uclabruins.com/news/2025/2/7/mens-volleyball-no-3-ucla-mvb-falls-in-four-set-at-no-1-long-beach-state

With Wednesday's rematch, UCLA has a chance to build similar momentum. But, a loss could also put UCLA in a precarious spot with their series against #2 UC Irvine starting on Friday.
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,118
MVB: #3 UCLA plays rematch vs #1 LBSU at Pauley 2/12 7pm
Posted Wed, Feb 12 1:27 pm
In response to MVB: #3 UCLA begins series at #1 LBSU tonight 7pm ESPN+ (Woochifer)
The match will stream on B1G+ with first serve at 7pm PT. Critical match for the Bruins. Last season, after losing the first match against Long Beach State, UCLA was able to win the rematch at Pauley en route to running the table the rest of the regular season. This will be a similar situation.

Next week's UCI series will conclude the Bruins' out-of-conference schedule. Having wins under their belt against the top Big West teams will keep UCLA firmly in the hunt for an at-large berth in the NCAA tournament if they don't win the automatic qualifier with the MPSF tournament (recall that UCLA lost in the MPSF final last season, so they had to get the at-large berth to defend their NCAA title).

Any number of things can happen, but UCLA will need to watch out for some of the other contenders. From what I've seen so far, BYU and Southern Cal will provide formidable competition for the MPSF title. BYU has 4 losses, but those were fierce battles against #2 UCI and #4 Hawaii.

#5 Southern Cal is unbeaten, but they haven't played the top teams yet. They begin their series against #2 UCI tonight. That will be a crucial series for the MPSF as well.

So far, the top Big West teams have had the upper hand in the head-to-head matches against the MPSF. If that trend continues, then there's a good chance that the Big West will have the inside track to claim both NCAA at-large berths. Recall that Hawaii was #1 during the latter part of last season, but got left out of the NCAA tournament after UCI swept them in the Big West semifinal and GCU upset UCLA in the MPSF final.

The season has barely started, but these out-of-conference matchups against the Big West teams loom large for setting up the postseason scenarios.
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,118
Bruins get swept by #1 Long Beach
Posted Wed, Feb 12 8:17 pm
In response to MVB: #3 UCLA plays rematch vs #1 LBSU at Pauley 2/12 7pm (Woochifer)
Long Beach State swept UCLA for the first time since 2020 at Pauley tonight. The Bruins did not play a bad match, but the Beach had everything going on the attack. The Bruins did not make a lot of service and attack errors. But, the timing of those errors wiped out momentum, especially in the 3rd set where the Bruins let a 4 point lead slip away.

The 1st and 3rd sets were tightly contested. In the 1st set, neither team led by more than 2 points. In the 3rd set, the Bruins looked like they were going force a 4th set. But, they could never capitalize on their momentum with inopportune errors on attack and serve.

UCLA will now need to regroup in a hurry, as they play #2 UCI next week. The Anteaters remained unbeaten tonight as they handed #5 Southern Cal their first loss in a match that went 5 sets. The two teams play again on Friday.

An emerging problem for UCLA is that the top 3 teams in the Big West (LBSU, UCI, and Hawaii) are currently unbeaten against the top 3 MPSF teams (UCLA, BYU, and Southern Cal). Next week will conclude non-conference play for the MPSF teams. If this trend continues, then the Big West is set up to claim both at-large berths in the NCAA tournament. The only way that UCLA in that scenario can go for the three-peat would be to win the MPSF tournament -- something they did not do last season, but they were still able to make the NCAA tournament as the #1 seed because they had the fewest losses among the top teams and they went 3-1 against LBSU and UCI.

Next week's matches will be huge if UCLA wants to maintain more than one path to the NCAA tournament. Crazy that the postseason is already being setup and conference play hasn't started yet.
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,118
MVB: #3 UCLA begins series at #2 UCI tonight 6pm PT ESPN+
Posted Wed, Feb 19 12:10 pm
In response to MVB: #3 UCLA begins series at #1 LBSU tonight 7pm ESPN+ (Woochifer)
The back half of UCLA's showdown against the top 2 teams starts tonight at #2 UC Irvine. From what I've seen, the Anteaters are the most formidable team on the schedule. They played a tight match against #5 Southern Cal last week. But, proceeded to destroy Southern Cal in the 2nd match a couple of days later at Galen Center.

UCI is another big team with a strong attack that will test the Bruins' defense.

This will be UCLA best chance to improve its postseason resume, because after next weekend's home-and-home series against #16 UC Santa Barbara, it's all MPSF conference play for the remainder of the season for UCLA. The head-to-head matchups between the top teams in the Big West and MPSF have all gone to the Big West so far. UCLA can help themselves and the MPSF with a series sweep. But, UCLA will need to show improvement on the attack and find a way of containing UCI's big hitters. It won't be easy.

There's a reason why no team in men's volleyball has three-peated in more 40 years.
VB
Joined: 8/18/05 Posts: 1,572

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Ucla wins 3-0.
Posted Wed, Feb 19 10:37 pm
In response to MVB: #3 UCLA begins series at #2 UCI tonight 6pm PT ESPN+ (Woochifer)
Bruins looked very strong. Some strong serving and strong middle attack (Thorne and McQuiggan), big blocks, and big outside attack (Cooper Robinson and Zach Rama). Rowan dishing nectar and attacking when needed too. Solid all around. I understand Ido has been out for a couple weeks and it seemed to show. Hopefully we can beat them in Pauley too.
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,118
Bruins stepped up in a critical match
Posted Thu, Feb 20 9:43 am (Edited Thu, Feb 20 9:44 am)
In response to Ucla wins 3-0. (VB)
According to the official release, McQuiggan had the highest hitting % in program history last night - perfect 10 for 10 on attacks. McQuiggan has also been out with an injury. Last night was only the 2nd match he has played this season. Obviously, it made a huge difference.

Ido David looked like he had regained some of the All-American form from his sophomore year in the early matches (though his attacks are still too often off the mark). But, he took what looked like a knee to the head a few weeks ago against Penn State. After the blow, he briefly returned for one play before getting subbed out.

I didn't watch last night's match (don't have ESPN+), but it looks like the Bruins responded in a big way when their backs were to the wall. There's still a long way to go, but the win last night at least keeps the NCAA at-large berth in play for the MPSF. Winning the rematch at Pauley on Saturday would put UCLA on a solid footing for the at-large berth if things play out like they did last season -- with UCLA winning the MPSF regular season, but losing in the MPSF tournament final. Just keeping more pathways to the NCAA tournament open.

https://uclabruins.com/news/2025/2/19/mens-volleyball-no-3-ucla-mvb-sweeps-no-2-uc-irvine-3-0
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,118
MVB: HUGE news! Former MPSF POTY Miles Partain is back
Posted Thu, Feb 20 10:18 am (Edited Thu, Feb 20 10:30 am)
In response to MVB: #3 UCLA begins series at #1 LBSU tonight 7pm ESPN+ (Woochifer)
Wow! Saw the news from the 247 board and the Daily Bruin. Former MPSF POTY Miles Partain has returned to UCLA and is waiting for NCAA eligibility confirmation. People had spotted him at recent matches, and it's now confirmed that he is back with men's volleyball team. He would be coming in to play libero, which has been a problem spot this season.

https://x.com/DBSports/status/1892462991272268013


https://x.com/IraGorawara/status/1892430987289907564


Recall that Partain was the starting Bruin setter before #1 recruit Andrew Rowan arrived a couple of years ago. Partain and Rowan were splitting time at setter, but things were not quite clicking until Rowan got more of the playing time. Partain left the team midway through the season in order to focus on beach volleyball, where he has become one of the top US players -- making the 2024 Olympic team and emerging as one of the top contenders for LA2028. He has already graduated so he is coming back to UCLA as a grad student.

According to the DB article, Partain has one year of eligibility remaining and would need to return some of his prize money from the AVP tour to regain amateur status (whatever that means in the NIL era). Coach Hawks was a Bruin assistant during Partain's freshman year, and was Coach Speraw's top recruiter at that time as well.

If Partain is able to lock down the libero position, that would eliminate the makeshift rotation that UCLA has been forced to use since last season. The NCAA decision is expected sometime in the next couple of weeks according to Coach Hawks.

https://dailybruin.com/2025/02/19/miles-partain-returns-to-ucla-mens-volleyball-after-two-year-departure
Finally
Joined: 2/07/09 Posts: 1,636
Wow
Posted Sat, Mar 01 10:29 am
In response to MVB: HUGE news! Former MPSF POTY Miles Partain is back (Woochifer)
Big news. I wonder how his passing skills are. Indoor serve receive way different than beach.
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,118
Partain was an indoor All-American at setter
Posted Sat, Mar 01 7:21 pm
In response to Wow (Finally)
And the conference player of the year in his sophomore season. Just illustrates how deep that 2023 national championship team was when you realize that Partain was an All-American but saw his playing time diminish with the arrival of Andrew Rowan.

The Bruins are searching for answers at the libero position, which has been unsettled since last year following the graduation of Troy Gooch. Last season, the Bruins found an answer in OH Alex Knight, who had been coming off the bench despite being a 2nd team AA and MOP of the NCAA tournament. Coach Hawks is probably looking for a similar effect with Partain.
Finally
Joined: 2/07/09 Posts: 1,636
Partain
Posted Sat, Mar 01 10:52 pm
In response to Partain was an indoor All-American at setter (Woochifer)
was amazing as a setter. Rowan even better. That said, training at younger levels is becoming so specialized that a setter who’s grown up a setter isn't a DS, Libero, or even a converted OH who gets reps day after day passing serve receive balls and digging balls. Their time is spent taking the second ball and dishing. It takes special talent for a setter to make that body movement second nature when they’re used to a completely different movement.

That said, if there’s a special talent out there that can do it, it could be Partain. I hope it is.

Minimally, if they can cover him up in the passing game with the two OHs and the Opp, then he could be a really good setting option behind the 3M line when the pass takes the offense out of system.
GoBru
Joined: 6/10/24 Posts: 64
Partain's family home burned in fire
Posted Mon, Mar 03 4:50 am (Edited Mon, Mar 03 4:52 am)
In response to Partain (Finally)
Palisades. He went to pali high. Saw him being interviewed on tv a week or so after fire. Stay strong. Love though that he's coming back and how he represented BRUINS AND USA IN PARIS
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,118
MVB: #3 UCLA beats #2 UCI again; will go to #2 this week
Posted Sun, Feb 23 1:45 pm (Edited Sun, Feb 23 1:48 pm)
In response to MVB: #3 UCLA begins series at #1 LBSU tonight 7pm ESPN+ (Woochifer)
After sweeping UCI at the Bren Center, UCLA had much more of a battle on their hands in the rematch at Pauley. The match went 5, with UCLA dominating the 4th and 5th sets in the comeback win.

The key to UCLA's win at UCI was McQuiggley's return. The key in the Bruin win at Pauley was the return to form of Ido David, who had been out since the end of January. David had 4 aces and made several of the key kills in the decisive 4th and 5th sets.

UCLA handed UCI their first two losses of the season. With 3 losses, but 2 head-to-head wins over UCI and their only 2 losses coming against #1 Long Beach State, I would guess that UCLA will take over the #2 spot in the rankings this week. But, what matters most with the two wins over UCI is that the Bruins now likely have more than one path to the NCAA tournament if they can keep up the momentum in MPSF conference play (which won't start for another 2 weeks).

This series was a great response in an early season gut check after losing both matches against Long Beach State last week. Last season, the Bruins rode the momentum from the series against UCI and Long Beach State to run the table for the rest of the regular season.

UCLA concludes nonconference play with a series against UC Santa Barbara. UCLA split the series against the Gauchos last season.
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,118
MVB: UCLA moves up to #2 in this week's ranking
Posted Tue, Feb 25 12:30 pm
In response to MVB: #3 UCLA begins series at #1 LBSU tonight 7pm ESPN+ (Woochifer)
The Bruins head towards the end of non-conference play exactly where they need to be (assuming they hold serve against #16 UCSB this week) -- in prime position for more than one path to the NCAA tournament.

https://www.avca.org/polls-awards/polls/?_season=2025&_divisions=national-collegiate-men

UCLA needed that dual track to the NCAA tourney last season because of their loss to Grand Canyon in the MPSF final. Thanks to their wins over the other top teams in the Big West, UCLA got the nod over Hawaii for the other at-large berth.

UCLA has played probably the toughest OOC schedule among the top teams. They had home-and-home series against both #1 Long Beach State and then-#2 UCI, and they've played only one unranked team.

The competition in the Big West will be something to keep a watch on. UCLA is in good position for an at-large NCAA berth, but the other top MPSF teams look a lot more vulnerable. BYU is probably the strongest conference opponent for UCLA. But, they lost their matches against UCI and Hawaii. Southern Cal took a big step up this season and looked strong going into their series against UCI, but the Anteaters took both matches. If UCLA is able to run the table and take both the MPSF regular season and tournament titles, then that opens the door for the Big West to take both NCAA at-large berths.

Hawaii thought they got a raw deal last year. They'd been ranked #1 for part of the season, but they lost in the Big West semifinal. And with UCLA losing in the MPSF final, the other at-large berth went to the Bruins.
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,118
MVB: #2 UCLA beats #16 UCSB 3-1
Posted Thu, Feb 27 8:08 am (Edited Thu, Feb 27 8:14 am)
In response to MVB: #3 UCLA begins series at #1 LBSU tonight 7pm ESPN+ (Woochifer)
The Gauchos are the last Big West opponent remaining on UCLA’s schedule. After this home-and-home series against UCSB, it’s all MPSF conference play for the rest of the regular season.

The Bruins are clear favorites, but the Gauchos were also one of the only teams to beat UCLA last season. They’re not an easy out, and they gave the Bruins quite the challenge in the match at Pauley.

UCLA dominated the first set and looked like they were going to make short order of UCSB.

But the Gauchos responded by jumping out to a 7-point lead in the 2nd set. UCLA closed to within 2 points late in the set, but UCSB closed the set with 3 points in a row to win the set.

The 3rd set went back and forth with 9 lead changes. The Bruin service game and their blocking were decisive in pulling out a closely contested set.

UCLA had a somewhat easier time in the deciding 4th set, and was able to maintain a comfortable margin to win the set and the match.

The Bruins were effective at the net and they had 9 service aces. Zach Rama had 14 kills to lead the Bruins. Cameron Thorne is also emerging as more of an offensive force from the middle blocker spot. Robinson and David also made contributions but were less efficient on the attack.

UCSB had more digs, and the Bruin reception on serves and defense has been a weak spot. The pending return of Miles Partain to play libero could shore up the Bruins defensively.

The two teams conclude the series at Santa Barbara on Friday night.
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,118
MVB: #2 UCLA beats #10 Stanford to open conference play
Posted Fri, Mar 07 9:42 am (Edited Fri, Mar 07 9:49 am)
In response to MVB: #3 UCLA begins series at #1 LBSU tonight 7pm ESPN+ (Woochifer)
#2 UCLA had to go 4 sets to dispatch #10 Stanford at Pauley in the MPSF conference opener for both teams. The Bruins had to go without starting setter and 2X All-American Andrew Rowan, who according to the broadcast was out sick. So, freshman Trent Taliaferro stepped in as the starting setter.

https://uclabruins.com/news/2025/3/6/no-2-ucla-mens-volleyball-beats-no-10-stanford-3-1

The Bruin offense didn't miss a beat with Taliaferro at setter, but UCLA committed 12 service errors with only 1 ace. UCLA fell behind early and never regained the lead in the 1st set. They outhit Stanford, but the service errors provided the margin.

UCLA regrouped and continued to outhit Stanford, while reducing the service errors and swept the next 3 sets to take the match.

The two teams play again tonight at Pauley. No word on whether Rowan will play tonight.

Another note on the infirmed - Coach John Hawks showed up last night with his arm in a sling. Apparently, he had surgery yesterday morning to reattach a ligament in his thumb. He insisted on coaching the game last night.

Former AA setter Miles Partain recently rejoined the team. But, he has not yet been cleared to play by the NCAA, and he's projected to compete for playing time at libero.
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,118
MVB: #2 UCLA sweeps Furd; Rowan returns
Posted Sat, Mar 08 3:16 pm
In response to MVB: #3 UCLA begins series at #1 LBSU tonight 7pm ESPN+ (Woochifer)
The Bruins took care of business against #10 Stanford, sweeping the Cards 3-0 to sweep the series. The Bruins won a tight back and forth 1st set, but fell behind by 5 points midway through the 2nd set. Late in the 2nd set, with the Bruins stil behind by 4 points, Coach Hawks subbed setter Andrew Rowan into the match and the offense began clicking again. Zach Rama reeled off 3 straight aces to pull the Bruins within a point, and they proceeded to regain the lead and take the set.

https://uclabruins.com/news/2025/3/7/no-2-ucla-mens-volleyball-sweeps-no-10-stanford-3-0

UCLA pretty much controlled most of the 3rd set. Stanford had some runs, but the Bruins were able to keep the Cards at a distance for the set.

UCLA has now won 6 straight since their series loss against #1 Long Beach State.

The MPSF race is underway, and it looks like Southern Cal might be the most formidable competition. Last night, Southern Cal beat BYU 3-2 at Smith Fieldhouse, which is by far the toughest road trip in the MPSF because of the altitude and the crowd noise (UCLA plays BYU at Pauley). The two teams go at it again tonight.