#8 UCLA Men's Volleyball Sweeps #10 GCU; Travels to Provo to Take on #1 BYU

After sweeping GCU in their season opener, the UCLA men's volleyball team sets out to rectify their only 2020 loss.

Teri Ramirez

Feb 5, 2021

After losing to BYU in their lone 2020 matchup, UCLA is looking to win at BYU for the first time since 2009.

Last Friday, the #8 UCLA men’s volleyball team swept the #10 Grand Canyon University Antelopes in a straight set win, 25-20, 25-22, 25-22.

In set one, the teams were tied at nine until the Bruins scored five of the next six points. GCU was able to tighten the score at 19-17, but Merrick McHenry and Ethan Champlin were able to notch back to back kills, and Champlin sealed the set with the 24th and 25th point as UCLA outhit Grand Canyon .406 to .222.

In set two, UCLA was able to jump out ahead early 4-1, and maintained the three point lead through half of the set, making it 13-10. Cole Pender and Champlin helped the Bruins increase their lead to five, and while the Antelopes made some headway, Austin Matautia’s kill gave UCLA the 25-22 victory.

Set three started out the same as sets one and two with UCLA out in front, but GCU actually came within one point late in the set at 17-16. Matautia had key kills to extend UCLA’s lead, and with a GCU error, the Bruins took the set and the match.

Tonight’s Match

UCLA will play the BYU Cougars today, looking to get their first win in Provo since 2009. In 2020, the Bruins were defeated in a straight set decision, 29-31,12-25, 23-25, and were outhit by the Cougars .256 to .373. A whopping 18 service errors contributed to the loss, along with a season-low of only one service ace for the match.

#8 UCLA Men’s Volleyball (1-0) vs. #1 BYU Cougars (0-0)

Match #1

When: 6:00 pm PT, Wednesday, February 4, 2021
Where: Smith Fieldhouse, Provo, UT
TV: BYU TV
Live Stream: BYUTV.org (registration req’d)
Live Stats: UCLA StatBroadcast

Match #2

When: 3:00 pm PT, Saturday, February 6, 2021
Where: Smith Fieldhouse, Provo, UT
TV: BYU TV
Live Stream: BYUTV.org(registration req’d)
Live Stats: UCLA StatBroadcast

Match Notes

Go Bruins!

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