Match-point video: Penn State beats UCLA for first time since 2008

A season-best offensive performance culminated with No. 10/9 Penn State earning its first win against No. 6/6 UCLA in 12 years.

Setter Cole Bogner had 38 assists and guided the Nittany Lions to a .500 attack percentage as they swept the Bruins 25-22, 29-27, 26-24 on Friday in University Park, Pennsylvania, at the Big Ten/Pac 12 Challenge. Continue reading “Match-point video: Penn State beats UCLA for first time since 2008”

Video: No. 5/5 UCLA sweeps No. 14 Concordia-Irvine to keep MPSF title hopes alive

No. 5/5 UCLA out-hit No. 14 Concordia-Irvine, .322 to .110 en route to a sweep on Thursday night in Westwood.

The Bruins also used five blocks in the second game to out-block the Eagles 8 to 5 on the night. UCLA middle attacker Grant Maleski had three of the Bruins’ six aces, while Opposite Daenen Gyimah had a match-high 14 kills.

Watch the highlights of this match as recorded by associate editor Jonathan Bates.

Video: UCLA middle reacts to senior night win over No. 14 Concordia-Irvine

No. 5/5 UCLA swept No. 14 Concordia-Irvine on Thursday night in Westwood to keep its slim chances at a No. 1 seed in the MPSF Tournament alive.

The Bruins started off slow, but took control in the middle of the first game thanks to a 7-0 run with middle attacker Grant Maleski serving. Maleski also had a 6-0 run in the second game, and ended with a season-high three aces.

Watch associate editor Jonathan Bates’ interview with Maleski as he talks about the Bruins’ four graduating seniors and UCLA’s win over Concordia-Irvine.

Bracketology: Team comparisons using selection committee criteria

Two weeks before the start of the college men’s volleyball postseason and the bracketology battle teams remain tight.

Off the Block crunched the numbers using the same criteria as the selection committee to show how the top teams in the nation fare against each other in the race for the two at-large bids and NCAA Tournament positioning. Continue reading “Bracketology: Team comparisons using selection committee criteria”

Bracketology: Team comparisons using selection committee criteria

Yes, Long Beach State and Hawai’i have likely locked-up the top-two seeds for the NCAA Tournament, but there are still plenty of tight races remaining one month before the bracket is unveiled.

Off the Block crunched the numbers using the same criteria as the selection committee to show how the top teams in the nation fare against each other in the race for the two at-large bids and NCAA Tournament positioning. Continue reading “Bracketology: Team comparisons using selection committee criteria”