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The UCLA women’s volleyball team wraps up play in the Long Beach State Mizuno Classic tonight when the Bruins play the Long Beach State 49ers at 7 pm PT. Last night, UCLA won their match of the season when the Bruins swept Texas State, 26-24, 25-18, 25-23.
Last Time Out
Last night’s win was the 200th career victory for Bruins head coach Michael Sealy and UCLA got it in a decisive fashion with a sweep of the Bobcats.
While they swept the match, it wasn’t an easy win in the first set. The Bruins had to come back three times late in the set to win it. UCLA jumped out to a 6-3 lead early in the match and then pushed it to a 14-8 lead. But a 9-2 Texas State run gave the Bobcats their first lead since it was 3-2 earlier in the set. The Bruins took the lead back immediately with a 3-0 mini-run, but Texas State countered by winning four of the next five points and it was 21-20, Bobcats. Again, UCLA responded. This time, it was a pair of consecutive points which made it 23-21, Bruins. However, Texas State wouldn’t go away. Three consecutive Bobcat points gave them a set point, 24-23. UCLA rallied, first, to tie the set, 24-24, and, then, to win the set, 26-24, following a pair of Texas State attack errors.
After the teams exchanged points to start the second set, 1-1, the Bruins took the lead with a pair of consecutive points and they never relinquished it. In fact, they kept stretching it as the set went along en route to a seven-point win, 25-18.
After the break, Texas State came out and started the third set strong by winning four of the first five points. From there, the Bobcats seemed to take charge of the set as they were able to increase their lead to six points by the time the score got to 18-12.
And, then, the Bobcats collapsed.
UCLA rallied with a 7-1 run to tie the game, 19-19. The Bobcats made one last stand, winning three of the next four points which made it 22-20.
But, Mac May wouldn’t have it. She went on a tear and scored four of UCLA’s next five points to lead the Bruins to the set win and the sweep.
May finished the match with 17 kills to lead the Bruins. Devin Chang led the team with 19 assists while Hawley Harrer had 18. Kelli Barry and Savvy Simo added 11 and 10 digs, respectively.
Long Beach State 49ers
The host Long Beach State 49ers have lost three of their first five matches. Their two wins came against UNC Asheville and Southern last weekend at the Georgia Tech Invitational where they lost their opener to host Georgia Tech.
So far this weekend, the 49ers have lost both of their matches against Texas State and Georgia. That would seem to make me think that another sweep is possible, but you can’t count Long Beach State out of this one because they may pull it together for a big game against the Bruins. Look for UCLA to win this one, 3-1.
Go Bruins!!!