Bruins Outlast Lancers in Five at Pauley 1/30
The fourth-ranked UCLA men's volleyball team outlasted NAIA powerhouse Cal Baptist in five games Wednesday night in Pauley Pavilion.
The Bruins won 30-27, 28-30, 18-30, 30-21, 15-12 in two hours and 15 minutes in front of 354 fans. The victory raised UCLA's overall record to 7-3. Cal Baptist fell to 2-4.
The Bruins won without sophomore outside hitter Garrett Muagututia, who was ill with the flu. To pick up the slack for their leading hitter and scorer, third-year sophomore Brett Perrine stepped up and led the Bruins with 14 kills, including four in the final game. Junior Jamie Diefenbach added 13 kills (.545), two aces and seven total blocks to lead the Bruins with 19 points. Junior Ryan Ratelle was the third Bruin in double-digits with 11 kills and junior Sean O'Malley added nine kills (.421) off the bench.
Cal Baptist's Adiel Tiedjop led all players with 28 kills (.684), four total blocks and 30.5 points. Yukai Sun added 24 kills, two block assists and 25 points.
The Bruins return to MPSF action on Fri., Feb. 1 against ninth ranked UC Irvine at 7 p.m.