UCLA Men’s Volleyball Team Concludes Season with Disappointing Loss

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Intense match between UCLA and Long Beach State in the NCAA tournament.

News Summary

The UCLA men’s volleyball team experienced a challenging end to their season, suffering a sweep against Long Beach State in the NCAA tournament final. Star player Cooper Robinson shone throughout the season but is set to leave for a professional career. The Bruins face significant roster changes as they prepare for rebuilding in the upcoming season, losing key players while retaining some standout performers. With a mix of returning talent and new recruits, UCLA aims to address defensive struggles and regain their competitive edge.

Columbus, Ohio – The UCLA men’s volleyball team concluded its 2025 season with a disappointing sweep against Long Beach State in the NCAA tournament final held at the Covelli Center on May 12, 2025. The loss ended the Bruins’ hopes of capturing the national title, despite a strong showing throughout the season.

Redshirt junior Cooper Robinson was a standout performer for UCLA, being honored as the 2025 MPSF Player of the Year and named to the AVCA First Team All-American. Robinson ranked 11th in the nation with a hitting percentage of .387 and 25th in kills per set, averaging 3.56. He had an impressive late-season surge, maintaining a hitting percentage above .300 in the final ten matches and recording double-digit kills in seven of those outings. Over the course of the season, Robinson led the team with a total of 365 kills, 120 digs, and 41 service aces.

Following the end of the season, Robinson is expected to pursue a professional volleyball career overseas, marking a significant transition for both him and the team. With Robinson’s departure, the Bruins face challenges, as five players, including key contributors such as middle blocker Sean McQuiggan and libero Matthew Aziz, are set to graduate in June 2025. Despite these losses, UCLA retains four starting players for the upcoming 2026 season, three of whom received AVCA All-American selections.

Key returning players include junior setter Andrew Rowan, who has earned the AVCA First Team All-American honor three times, and junior middle blocker Cameron Thorne, a two-time AVCA All-American. Thorne had a stellar season, leading the team with a hitting percentage of .521 and ranking 13th in the nation with 1.06 blocks per set.

The Bruins will need to fill outside hitter roles left vacant by Robinson’s exit, and juniors Zach Rama and freshman Sean Kelly are expected to step into those positions. Rama demonstrated his potential by compiling ten consecutive matches with double-digit kills. However, the libero position remains a concern for UCLA, as the team will lose Aziz with only Coleman McDonough, Sean Curci, and freshman Matthew Chun available next season.

The 2025 season revealed defensive struggles for the Bruins, as the team finished outside the top 50 in digs per set and committed 147 reception errors. Looking ahead, UCLA is likely to target a traditional libero through the transfer portal to bolster their defense.

Competition for three starting spots will be crucial for the Bruins in the 2026 season, particularly for the third pin hitter position. Redshirt sophomore David Decker and new recruit Grayson Bradford are anticipated to vie for the open hitting role. Additionally, the team has acquired new recruits, including pin hitter Filippos Chrysostomou, libero Brogan Glenn, and setter Rafa Urbina, who will play significant roles following a season of significant roster turnover.

With a mix of returning stars and new talent joining the Bruins for the upcoming season, UCLA’s men’s volleyball team is poised for a rebuilding year as they strive to overcome the challenges ahead and reclaim their status among the nation’s elite.