Top-seeded UCLA men’s volleyball falls to UC…
Their fortunes modified in a flash.
One second, the UCLA men’s volleyball gamers had been celebrating a journey to the Final Four.
The next, they had been mourning the end of their season.
Bruins volleyball gamers huddle during their NCAA Tournament quarterfinal against UC Irvine.
That’s how shortly the momentum shifted Saturday evening after what appeared to be the profitable level was worn out by an official review during the Bruins’ NCAA Tournament quarterfinal against UC Irvine.
Given new life, the unseeded Anteaters went on to full the comeback, knocking off top-seeded UCLA, 25-23, 19-25, 25-23, 19-25, 16-14, at Pauley Pavilion.
How big of an upset was this?
The Bruins (29-2) had misplaced just once beforehand this season, with their only other setback coming against Pepperdine a month in the past.
“Being honest,” said UCLA senior outdoors hitter Zach Rama, his eyes reddened with disappointment, “I don’t think it’s anything any of us expected just because of how confident we are and our ability to play together. I don’t think it’s fully hit me yet.”
Rama’s assault error on match level sparked a wild celebration for UC Irvine (20-8), which had trailed 8-4 in the fifth set and appeared momentarily crushed after an earlier match level had been awarded to the Bruins before being reversed.
Anteaters coach David Kniffin said he was assured the replay would given his group the vital level because he had heard a UCLA participant contact the ball on the play.
“But sound doesn’t carry on a challenge review system,” Kniffin said, “so you never know what the camera is going to pick up. But, for me, it wasn’t even if we got the touch or not, it was about sustaining belief.”
Top-seeded UCLA volleyball was surprised in 5 units by UC Irvine on Saturday at Pauley Pavilion.
In the Bruins’ huddle, there was willpower to not let the call beat them twice.
“We did talk about being able to move on even if the call was to be overturned,” senior setter Andrew Rowan said, “so do our best to bounce back from a call like that.”
This was already an uncommon state of affairs for the Bruins, who had been pressured to rally to power the fifth set. They had trailed 2-1 only 3 times beforehand this season, including a comeback victory over the Anteaters on Feb. 28 that they received in 5 units.
After the reversal on match level pulled the Anteaters to within 14-13, an assault error on UCLA center blocker Cameron Thorne tied the rating.
The Bruins then unsuccessfully challenged a kill by UC Irvine’s Andreas Brinck, which gave the Anteaters match level. They capitalized on Rama’s assault error that sailed out of bounds.
As their followers roared in approval, the Anteaters’ reserves bounded onto the court and senior William D’Arcy pulled the entrance of his jersey over his head in celebration.
Meanwhile, the Bruins had been left to ponder a Final Four that will likely be held without them on their home court. UC Irvine will play fourth-seeded Ball State in one semifinal May 9 at Pauley Pavilion, and third-seeded Long Beach State will play second-seeded Hawaii in the other semifinal.
“I mean, it’s obviously tough,” Rowan said. “It’s the first time we haven’t been past this game in our collegiate career, so it’s tough. It hasn’t really set in yet.”
UCLA’s seniors had been half of two championships before ending as runners-up last season. There can be no joyful ending in their farewell season.
“I’m incredibly sad for them,” Bruins coach John Hawks said. “We had an incredible run, and I’m sorry to see it end.”
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