News Summary
The UCLA men’s volleyball team, ranked No. 2, is poised to secure its fourth consecutive MPSF regular-season championship. With a record of 12-3, they prepare to challenge Vanguard, who struggles with a 6-9 record. The Bruins have showcased exceptional skills in recent matches, notably against Stanford. Key players include defensive standout Cameron Thorne and Cooper Robinson, who has gained recognition for his contributions. UCLA aims to refine their gameplay while tackling errors to maintain their title aspirations as they face Vanguard.
Los Angeles – The UCLA men’s volleyball team, currently ranked No. 2 in the nation, is on the verge of securing their fourth consecutive Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) regular-season championship. With an impressive record of 12 wins and 3 losses, including 2 wins without a loss in the MPSF, the Bruins are eager to maintain their momentum as they prepare to face Vanguard, a team that has struggled this season with a record of 6 wins and 9 losses, including 1 win and 3 losses in the MPSF.
UCLA has shown exceptional skill recently, especially in their matches against Stanford, where they emerged victorious without dropping a single set across both games. In the second match against Stanford, even when facing deficits of three and five points in the first two sets, the Bruins found a way to clinch the victories. Their dominant performance has rekindled hopes for another MPSF title as they continue to strive for excellence on both offense and defense.
Defensive standout Cameron Thorne, a junior middle blocker, has been pivotal for the Bruins with his average of 4.27 blocks per game, ranking him fourth nationally at 1.164 blocks per set. His insight that shortening matches can conserve energy for the long season ahead has resonated with the team’s tactical approach. Another bright spot for UCLA has been redshirt junior outside hitter Cooper Robinson, who recently achieved a career-high with seven blocks in a match against Stanford and was recognized as the AVCA Player of the Week for his impressive contributions.
The UCLA defense proved formidable against Stanford, limiting their opponents to a mere 0.076 hitting percentage overall and an alarming -0.304 in the second set. This defensive prowess has been integral to UCLA maintaining a strong national presence, currently sitting fourth in the country for hitting percentage at 0.365. With junior setter Andrew Rowan back from illness, the team has seen a boost in their gameplay. Rowan, who ranks 20th in the nation for assists per set with an average of 9.56, has been a key player facilitating the Bruins’ offensive strategy.
Despite leading the nation in service aces per set, UCLA needs to address their current tally of errors, which exceeds their opponents by a staggering 60 errors this season. Junior outside hitter Zach Rama also made headlines, achieving a season second-best of three aces in the match against Stanford. The Bruins know that refining both their offensive and defensive performance will be crucial in building their standings this season, especially after finishing second in the 2024 MPSF tournament.
Vanguard University, facing a learning curve after joining the MPSF from the NAIA four years ago, will provide a litmus test for UCLA. The team’s leading scorers are setter Grant Dvorak and outside hitter Logan Freemon. Dvorak is currently 10th in the MPSF for kills per set with an average of 3.07. As UCLA prepares to take on Vanguard, they are keenly aware that enhancing their game will not only cement their title aspirations but also help them recover from a tough finish last season.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on UCLA to see if they can maintain their winning trajectory and emerge victorious once again in the MPSF regular-season championship race.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Vanguard University Secures $900,000 Grant for Foster Youth
Jamestown Men’s Volleyball Team Loses to Vanguard University
Vanguard University Achieves NCAA Division II Membership
UCLA Men’s Volleyball Program Continues to Thrive
Jamestown Men’s Volleyball Team Falls to Vanguard University
Huntington Beach Removed from DOJ’s Sanctuary List
Vanguard University Unveils New Freed Center for Leadership and Service
Vanguard University Achieves NCAA Division II Membership
Vanguard University Receives $900,000 Grant for Former Foster Youth
Vanguard University Opens Freed Center for Leadership and Service
Additional Resources
- UCLA Men’s Volleyball Sweeps Vanguard
- UCLA Men’s Volleyball Prepares for Vanguard Matches
- Long Beach State Men’s Volleyball Midweek Matchup
- USC Men’s Volleyball Opens MPSF Play Against Vanguard
- Wikipedia: Mountain Pacific Sports Federation
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTINGTON BEACH
The Huntington Beach Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntington Beach, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Huntington Beach Surf City USA Marathon, the U.S. Open of Surfing, Fourth of July celebrations at the Huntington Beach Pier, and community festivals at Huntington Beach Central Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visit Huntington Beach, plus leading businesses in retail, hospitality, and outdoor recreation that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
