No. 2 UCLA Bruins Set too Clash with No. 16 UC Santa Barbara in Men’s Volleyball Showdown
Table of Contents
- No. 2 UCLA Bruins Set too Clash with No. 16 UC Santa Barbara in Men’s Volleyball Showdown
- UCLA men’s Volleyball Ranked No.1 in Preseason poll, Poised for Another Championship Run
- Bruins Face Gauchos in Highly Anticipated Volleyball Rematch at Pauley Pavilion
- UCLA Bruins Men’s Volleyball: A Dynasty in the Making? An Exclusive Interview
Los Angeles,Calif. – The No. 2 UCLA Bruins (8-3),fresh off sweeping No. 2 UC Irvine and boasting an impressive legacy of 21 NCAA titles, are set to host the No. 16 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (7-5) in a highly anticipated men’s volleyball match. The Bruins and Gauchos will meet for the first time in the 2025 season on Wednesday,Feb. 26, 2025, at Pauley Pavilion Presented by Wescom.First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT, promising an evening of intense volleyball action.
Bruin fans can catch the game live on B1G+, while live stats will be available at uclalivestats.com.Tickets are available for purchase at uclabruins.com/tickets, with general admission seating. Parking can be secured in advance through the Parkmobile app.
A Rematch with History
The upcoming contest carries extra weight as UC Santa Barbara secured a thrilling five-set victory in the lone matchup between the two teams last season in Los angeles. The Gauchos prevailed with scores of 30-28,23-25,25-23,23-25,and 15-13. The Bruins will undoubtedly be seeking to avenge that loss on their home court,adding an element of revenge to the already high-stakes encounter.
Key Players and Stats to Watch
Several Bruins have been pivotal to the team’s success this season. Redshirt junior Cooper Robinson leads the team with 132 kills, averaging 3.30 kills per set while boasting an impressive .422 hitting percentage, ranking him ninth nationally. Robinson also shines with his serving, averaging 0.500 aces per set,placing him 14th in the nation. His all-around performance makes him a key player to watch.
Zach Rama stands as a significant offensive threat, holding the second position on the team with 122 kills this year, averaging 3.13 per set, and hitting .292.Rama’s consistency and power at the net provide a crucial dimension to the Bruins’ attack.
Setting the pace for the Bruins is Andrew Rowan, who has amassed 385 assists through 11 matches, averaging 9.36 per set. Rowan’s career assist total stands at an impressive 2,606, ranking him fifth in UCLA history. His ability to distribute the ball effectively is essential to the Bruins’ offensive strategy.
Defensively, Cameron Thorne anchors the Bruins’ blocking efforts, tallying 46 blocks over 11 matches, leading the team with 1.15 blocks per set.Thorne’s blocking prowess places him eighth nationally in the category. He also contributes considerably on offense, hitting .559 for the season with 86 kills. Thorne’s dual threat makes him a force to be reckoned with.
Cameron Thorne: AVCA national player of the Week
Cameron Thorne recently earned AVCA National Player of the Week and MPSF offensive Player of the week honors following stellar performances in UCLA’s two victories over UC Irvine. Thorne registered 32 kills on 38 swings, with only four errors, achieving an impressive .711 hitting percentage for the week.
In the Wednesday match at Irvine, California, Thorne recorded a then career-high 15 kills in UCLA’s 3-0 sweep of UC Irvine, hitting .579 and adding three blocks. He continued his dominance on Saturday, producing a career-high 17 kills on 19 swings to hit .842, along with three service aces and six blocks.
Thorne’s remarkable week saw him averaging 4.00 kills per set,1.13 blocks per set, and 5.00 points per set across the two matches.
Bruins sweep UC Irvine
UCLA secured back-to-back wins against No. 2 UC irvine, winning 3-0 in Irvine and 3-2 in five sets at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday. The Saturday contest marked UCLA’s first five-set match of 2025. The Bruins have now won five consecutive matches against UCI, dating back to the begining of the 2024 season.
UCLA men’s Volleyball Ranked No.1 in Preseason poll, Poised for Another Championship Run
Westwood, CA – The UCLA Bruins men’s volleyball team is entering the 2025 season with high expectations, securing the top spot in the Preseason AVCA Coaches poll. the Bruins received 22 out of a possible 23 first-place votes,signaling strong confidence in their ability to contend for a third consecutive NCAA title. With a solid core of returning players and promising newcomers, UCLA is also the favorite to win their fourth straight Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) regular-season conference title.
Bruins Aim for Historic Three-Peat
The UCLA Bruins are not just entering another season; they are embarking on a quest for a historic three-peat. Having clinched the NCAA title in both 2023 and 2024,the team is resolute to continue their dominance in collegiate men’s volleyball. Their recent track record speaks volumes,with a remarkable 79-14 record (.849 winning percentage) over the past three seasons. This period has seen them secure not only the two NCAA titles but also four MPSF titles, solidifying their position as a powerhouse program.
The team’s consistent performance is a testament to their rigorous training,strategic coaching,and the remarkable talent within their ranks. As they prepare for the 2025 season, the Bruins are focused on maintaining their high standards and overcoming the challenges that lie ahead.
Dominance in the MPSF
UCLA’s dominance extends beyond the national stage, as evidenced by their outstanding performance in the MPSF. As the 2022 season, the Bruins have won 34 of their last 36 MPSF matches, boasting an impressive .944 winning percentage.Their MPSF records during this period are remarkable: 11-1 in 2024, 12-0 in 2023, and 11-1 in 2022.
This consistent success has led to the Bruins being picked to repeat as MPSF champions in the 2025 MPSF Men’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ poll. They received the maximum possible 64 points and all eight first-place votes, underscoring the high expectations placed upon them. USC is projected to finish second in the MPSF standings, followed by BYU, Pepperdine, and Grand Canyon.
key Players Return to westwood
Sixteen UCLA student-athletes are returning to Westwood after their 2024 title-winning season, including four starters from the championship match.These returning players bring a wealth of experience and leadership to the team,providing a strong foundation for continued success.
Among the key returnees are junior setter Andrew Rowan, redshirt junior outside hitter Cooper Robinson, senior opposite/outside hitter Ido David, and Matthew Aziz. Each of these players has already won two NCAA championships, demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure and contribute to the team’s success.
Additionally, players like outside hitter Zach Rama and Coleman McDonough, who made significant contributions off the bench during the 2024 season, are expected to play even larger roles in 2025.
Spotlight on Returning Stars
-
Cooper Robinson: A second-team All-MPSF selection and honorable mention AVCA All-America pick, Robinson ranked 20th in the NCAA in attack percentage (.332) in 2024. He recorded double-digit kills in 14 contests, with a high of 23 against UC Irvine. He was also named AVCA National Player of the Week, OTB’s National Attacker of the Week, and MPSF Offensive POW for his performances against UCI. In a 3-1 win over No.15 CSUN, Robinson had a career day, recording 22.5 points,15 kills,a career-high six aces,and three total blocks. His six service aces were the most of any Bruin in a single match this season and were tied for the most in the NCAA in any four-set match. At the B1G Challenge in Columbus, Ohio,
Cooper Robinson led the way, finishing with 41.5 points, 32 kills, six service aces, and seven blocks. He had a season-high 17 kills against Ohio State
. - Ido David: A first-team All-AVCA All-America selection and first-team All-MPSF pick in 2023, David was also named to the NCAA Championship All-Tournament team. He recorded 17 kills in the semifinals against Long Beach and a season-high 23 kills in the championship match versus Hawaii. In 2024, he was rated 24th in the NCAA and fifth in the MPSF in aces average (0.40).
2024 Season in Review
The Bruins are coming off a remarkable 2024 season, where they secured their second consecutive national championship, defeating Long Beach State in four sets. The team returns 16 players from that title-winning roster.
UCLA finished the 2024 season with a 26-5 record and an 11-1 mark in MPSF play,finishing atop the conference standings. The Bruins led the nation in hitting percentage at .372 and had the second-highest winning percentage at .839.They also ranked fourth nationally in blocks per set at 2.52 and aces per set at 1.90.
Ethan Champlin and Cooper Robinson both finished in the top 20 nationally in hitting percentage, with Champlin hitting .339 (17th) and Robinson hitting.332 (20th).
five Bruins earned All-America honors: Ethan Champlin, Merrick McHenry,and Andrew Rowan earned first-team honors, while grant Sloane and Cooper Robinson received honorable mention.
Over the past two seasons (2023, 2024), UCLA has achieved a combined record of 57-7 (.891 winning percentage),securing two NCAA titles,two MPSF regular season titles,and an MPSF tournament title (2023).
Bruins Sweep B1G Challenge
UCLA men’s volleyball bounced back with a 3-1 win over No.13 Ohio State and a 3-0 sweep of No.17 Penn State at the B1G Challenge in Columbus, Ohio. The Bruins avenged a 3-1 loss to Ohio State and swept the season series against Penn State.
A Perfect Performance
In UCLA’s 3-0 sweep of UCI, Sean McQuiggan tied the program record for highest hitting percentage in a single match, finishing with 10 kills on 10 attack attempts. He became the second Bruin to ever hit 1.000 in a match,joining J.R. Norris IV, who achieved the feat in 2022 against Morehouse.
Wednesday Victory and Saturday Performance
In the Wednesday victory, Cameron Thorne, Cooper Robinson, and Sean McQuiggan all finished with double-digit kills. Thorne tallied 15,Robinson added 11,and McQuiggan contributed a career-high 10. As a team, UCLA hit .442, with McQuiggan hitting 1.000 and Thorne hitting .579.
On Saturday, Cameron Thorne led the Bruins’ attack with 17 kills on 19 attempts, hitting .842. Cooper Robinson and Zach Rama added 15 and 11 kills, respectively, as the Bruins hit .406 as a team.
Bruins Face Gauchos in Highly Anticipated Volleyball Rematch at Pauley Pavilion
Los Angeles, CA – The No. 2 UCLA Bruins (8-3) are set to clash with the No. 16 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (7-5) on Wednesday,February 26,2025,at 7:00 PM PT. The match will take place at the historic pauley Pavilion Presented by Wescom in Los Angeles, CA. Bruin fans can catch the action live on B1G+ or follow live stats on uclalivestats.com. Tickets are available at uclabruins.com/tickets. This showdown marks a significant rematch, with UCLA looking to avenge a previous defeat against UC Santa Barbara.
The Bruins enter the contest riding a wave of success, boasting back-to-back National Championships and a total of 21 NCAA titles. Their recent dominance includes a sweep of No. 2 UC Irvine, securing five consecutive match victories against the Anteaters. UCLA also claimed victory at the B1G Challenge, triumphing over formidable opponents Ohio State and Penn State.
Key Players to Watch
UCLA’s roster is brimming with talent, and several key players are expected to play pivotal roles in the upcoming match.
- Cooper Robinson: The redshirt junior leads the team with 132 kills and boasts an impressive .422 hitting percentage. Robinson also averages 0.500 aces per set, making him a threat from the service line. He recently had a career-defining performance against CSUN, racking up 22.5 points, 15 kills, and 6 aces.
- Zach Rama: As a critical offensive threat, Rama is second on the team with 122 kills. His ability to find the court and generate points will be crucial for the Bruins’ attack.
- Andrew Rowan: The Bruins’ leading setter, Andrew Rowan, has amassed 385 assists this season, placing him fifth all-time at UCLA with a career total of 2,606 assists. His ability to direct the offense and distribute the ball effectively is essential to UCLA’s success. rowan’s contributions extend beyond setting, as he led the team with 40 aces in 2024. He was recognized as an AVCA first-team All-America selection and an MPSF first-team member, and was named to the NCAA Championship all-tournament team. In 2024, he directed the Bruin offense to a .372 hitting percentage, which led the nation. His 10.06 set assists mark ranked 10th in the NCAA and second in the MPSF.
- Cameron Thorne: Thorne leads the team in blocks with 46, averaging 1.15 blocks per set, which ranks eighth nationally. His presence at the net provides a formidable defensive wall for the Bruins. Thorne was recently named AVCA National Player of the week and MPSF Offensive Player of the Week after an outstanding performance against UC Irvine, where he recorded a career-high 17 kills and hit .842. He has also contributed substantially on offense with 86 kills and a .559 hitting percentage. Thorne joins UCLA after spending two seasons at Grand Canyon University (GCU). He was a first-team All-American in 2024, earned second-team MPSF honors, and was named to the MPSF All-Tournament team. Thorne led the country in total blocks (149) and blocks per set (1.34) in 2024.
- Sean McQuiggan: McQuiggan recently tied the program record for the highest hitting percentage in a single match, achieving a perfect 1.000 against UC Irvine.
Looking Back at 2024
The Bruins are coming off a stellar 2024 season, where they clinched the national championship with an overall record of 26-5 and an 11-1 mark in MPSF play.UCLA led the nation in hitting percentage (.372) and had the nation’s second-highest winning percentage (.839). Five Bruins earned All-America honors, highlighting the team’s exceptional talent and depth.
UC Santa Barbara Seeks Repeat Victory
While UCLA has enjoyed considerable success, UC Santa Barbara poses a significant threat. The Gauchos won the last matchup against UCLA in a thrilling five-set contest, demonstrating their ability to compete with and defeat the Bruins.
New Talent Joins the Bruins
The Bruins are also welcoming five new players, including one transfer and four freshmen. These newcomers bring fresh talent and energy to the team, adding depth and competition to the roster.
- Caleb sapp, Freshman, Opposite: A 6-8 opposite from Upland, Calif., Sapp was a four-year varsity letter winner and was named to the first-team Baseline League squad the past two seasons.He recorded over 500 kills, 44 aces, and 45 blocks for Claremont High school a year ago.
- Trent Taliaferro, Freshman, Setter: Taliaferro played for Balboa Bay Volleyball Club, earning MVP at the AAU boy’s Junior Nationals event in 2024. He also earned a Gold Medal with his squad. With USA Volleyball, he was selected to participate on the 2024 US Men’s U21 National Team that earned the Gold Medal in the NORCECA U21 Continental Championships in Nogales, Mexico.
- Sean Kelly, Freshman, Outside hitter: Kelly was named the 2023 CIF Div. I Player of the Year at Loyola high School, which won the HS National Championship. He also represented the U.S. and was the team captain at the U19 FIVB World Championships.
- Matthew Chun,Freshman,Libero: Chun played four seasons at Punahou School in Honolulu,Hawaii. He earned All-Hawaii first-team honors and was named to the Hawaii Fab 15 his senior season.
UCLA’s Influence on USA Volleyball
UCLA’s impact on the sport of volleyball extends beyond the collegiate level. With John Speraw departing to become the CEO/President of USA Volleyball, and then hiring Karch Kiraly and Erik Sullivan to lead the US Men’s National Team and Women’s National Team, all three of the top positions on the sporting side of USA Volleyball are held by Bruins. Additionally, current UCLA men’s volleyball coach John Hawks serves as the U21 USA men’s national team head coach.
UCLA Bruins Men’s Volleyball: A Dynasty in the Making? An Exclusive Interview
Did you know that UCLA Men’s Volleyball boasts an unparalleled 21 NCAA titles? This storied program is poised for yet another championship run, and their upcoming match against UC Santa Barbara is a must-watch.
Interviewer (Senior Editor, world-today-news.com): Professor Thompson, welcome. You’ve been studying collegiate men’s volleyball for decades. Given UCLA’s extraordinary history and current preseason ranking, how realistic is a three-peat NCAA championship for the Bruins?
Professor Thompson (expert in Collegiate Men’s Volleyball): Thank you for having me. A three-peat is certainly within the realm of possibility for UCLA. Their sustained success isn’t simply luck; it’s a testament to a robust recruiting strategy,remarkable coaching,and a culture of consistent excellence. The Bruins’ consistent dominance in the Mountain pacific Sports Federation (MPSF), with their impressive winning percentage and multiple conference titles, underscores their readiness for a national-level challenge. They’ve proven their ability to overcome adversity and maintain their high performance levels. However, the competitive landscape in collegiate men’s volleyball is fierce; underestimating opponents, as we’ve seen in upsets throughout sports history, would be a grave mistake.
Interviewer: The upcoming match against UC Santa Barbara is a rematch from last season. How much weight does this “revenge” factor play, notably considering UCSB’s previous five-set victory over UCLA?
Professor thompson: The importance of this rematch against UC Santa Barbara shouldn’t be downplayed. The previous five-set loss served as a valuable lesson for UCLA. It is a strong motivator to demonstrate enhancement, strategy refinement, and the team’s resolve to win on their home court at Pauley Pavilion. This type of high-stakes, competitive match provides an excellent possibility to assess strategic adjustments and the team’s capacity for elevated performance under immense pressure. Moreover, it provides an invaluable benchmark for gauging the team’s readiness for the postseason rigors.
Interviewer: Let’s talk about key UCLA players. Cooper robinson’s impressive statistics are undeniable. What makes him such a dominant force on the court?
Professor Thompson: Cooper Robinson exemplifies the well-rounded, high-impact player. His exceptional kill percentage, combined with his strong serving prowess, makes him a notable offensive weapon. He’s not just a powerful hitter; he understands game strategy, anticipates opponent moves, and adapts his play effectively. This adaptability, combined with his physical abilities, differentiates him. His all-around contributions – strong hitting, effective serving, and dependable defense – contribute substantially to the team’s overall performance. Players like Robinson are the backbone of championship-caliber teams.
Interviewer: Outside of Robinson, who are other key players to watch for UCLA fans?
Professor thompson: Several Bruins contribute significantly to their success. Zach Rama provides consistent offensive power, Andrew Rowan’s setting expertise is crucial for smooth offensive transitions and exceptional ball distribution, and Cameron Thorne’s dominance at the net is a major factor in UCLA’s defensive prowess. The team’s overall synergy, though, is what truly stands out. Their ability to transition seamlessly from offense to defense is evidence of years of intensive practice and skillful coaching.
Interviewer: UCLA’s 2024 season was nothing short of stunning. What were the key factors that contributed to their success?
Professor Thompson: In 2024, UCLA’s success stemmed from a confluence of elements. firstly, the team’s exceptional hitting percentage, a testament to their overall offensive strength, was a major factor. Secondly, high-quality teamwork and strategic adaptability allowed them to overcome any challenges. exceptional leadership on and off the court further contributed to this success. The team’s performance in the MPSF and their championship win exemplify their consistent top-level gameplay. This type of consistency highlights a winning mentality and a commitment to peak performance.
Interviewer: What are your final thoughts on UCLA’s prospects for the upcoming season, and what should fans look forward to?
Professor Thompson: UCLA’s volleyball program holds a strong position for another successful season. The blend of experienced, championship-winning players and promising newcomers creates an exciting dynamic.while predicting the future