With the rest of the lineup intact from last year’s 24-5 team, UCLA, the program that never rebuilds, will replace one of the finest players in its history and continue as the nation’s premier model of a collegiate dynasty.

The program that has won five straight divisional titles, developed four of the last five players of the year, won three national championships since 1993 and boasts a four-time national coach of the year is poised again in 1998 to reach the only goal it sets every season: to win the NCAA title.

In 1998 the Bruins return 12 lettermen and five starters — not a good omen for their opponents — plus a pair of sophomore All-Americans, last year’s national blocking leader and two of the best passers in the country. It all adds up to a formidable lineup, featuring quality depth at every position and a setter considered to be the country’s best.

Following are breakdowns for every position on the 1998 Bruin roster.

Sophomore All-American Brandon Taliaferro joins Karch Kiraly, Sinjin Smith and Ricci Luyties as the only setters in UCLA history to lead the Bruins to the NCAA finals in their first season as a starter. A trip to Sicily for the World University Games seasoned Taliaferro against outstanding international competition and improved his game.

“He’s putting up a good set after a bad pass or dig and his jump serving has improved,” said head coach Al Scates, who coached the WUG team. “He’s the best [setter] in collegiate volleyball this year.”

The 6-5 Taliaferro broke the school record by compiling 99 set assists in a match against BYU last season. His 1,707 total assists was just 85 shy of the UCLA single season record. He also ranked second on the team with 222 digs, including a career high 20 against UCSB last January.

Junior Eric Vallely will serve as the backup setter as well as a back court specialist. Scates has confidence in his ability.

“Eric can run the offense and has already set us to two 15-0 victories in his career,” said Scates. “He can also score three or four points quickly when his jump serve is working.”

Vallely, whose father John won nine beach tournaments in his prime, iced a victory against Stanford last season with an ace. He also compiled a career best 36 assists against Penn State in the Bruins’ 1997 opener.

Senior Charlie Jackson, a 1997 MPSF All-Academic Team selection, returns for his fourth season as the Bruins’ third setter and top back court specialist.

“He has turned into an outstanding defensive player,” said Scates. “We will use him as our third passer and he’ll come off the bench in clutch situations and serve tough.”

The Bruins boast arguably the best front line in the game. At one spot is senior All-American Tom Stillwell and at the other is sophomore All-American Adam Naeve. There are also three quality backups in junior Danny Farmer, freshman Jared Dannis and redshirt sophomore Seth Burnham.

Stillwell, who captained the World University Games team, has led the country in blocking for two consecutive seasons. He is the only player in UCLA history to record a pair of triple doubles in one season. This season, he has improved his defense and back row hitting.

“Tom has improved in all areas,” said Scates. “We’ll set him more out of the back row this season. He provides great leadership. He’s the best blocker in collegiate volleyball.”

In Naeve, the Bruins boast versatility. He bangs away as evidenced by his career high 38 kills against BYU last season. He blocks as demonstrated by his 1.5bpg average and his four double-digit blocking matches. He plays defense, proven by his 1.1dpg average and career best of 12. And he serves, leading the team with 35 aces last season.

“He gives us very good front and back court hitting,” said Scates. “He’s also demonstrated the ability to play the opposite position.”

With an experienced backup like Farmer ready to play, Scates won’t hesitate to juggle his lineup. A 12-game starter as a receiver on the football team, Farmer has become one of the most reliable players at his position in both sports. He nearly rallied the Bruins to the national championship last May and he was a consistent first-down target for Bruin quarterback Cade McNown on the grid iron.

“Danny is a clutch player,” said Scates. “When he’s in the game, he makes things happen.”

Freshman Jared Dannis has shown the potential to be as dominant as Stillwell. The veteran Youth National Team member has impressed the coaches during the Fall.

“He’s going to be a big-time blocker in our program,” said Scates. “He already hits quick sets very well.”

Burnham earned a letter last season by playing in three matches and spiking a career high nine kills against CS San Bernardino. On the Bruins November trip to Korea he was their best jump server.

Third-year sophomore Evan Thatcher has waited patiently for three seasons for a chance to start. As the only returning player listed at this position, he’ll have to prove durable and dependable to keep his job. So far Scates likes what he’s observed in Fall practice.

“He can hit a variety of sets. He has a lot of range,” said Scates. “He certainly has earned a starting spot.”

The two-time first-team all-league selection from San Dieguito High, Thatcher once spiked 52 kills in a four-game match.

“He took a lot of swings in Korea and gained valuable experience against outstanding competition,” said Scates. “He has the potential to put away a lot of balls.”

From behind the Blue Curtain, Scates has elevated redshirt sophomore Clay Chilcott to the varsity roster. He will back up Naeve, who can also play at this position.

The arrival of heralded freshman Mark Williams has produced fierce competition at the outside hitter’s position. Returning starters Ben Moselle, a senior, and junior Fred Robins have been forced to raise their level of play to keep their jobs. Scates rates all three even as passers. The player who performs most consistently receives the most playing time.

Moselle, traditionally a late starter, arrived at Fall practice 20 pounds more muscular and with an increased vertical jump. Robins improved his hitting. Together, they form one of the best passing tandems in the nation.

“These players realized there’s competition for their positions,” said Scates. “They’ve improved.”

Robins, who led the team with 251 digs last season, broke an 11 year-old record by digging 26 balls against BYU. He is one of the best defenders in the game and has great court instincts, according to the head coach.

Moselle set career bests in every offensive category last season, but this year, according to Scates, he’s been hitting the ball harder and higher and serving better. He ranked second on the team last season with 27 service aces.

Williams, who led University High to three straight L.A. City 4A titles, has improved since the day he began Fall practice. He has the starters worried, the coach smiling and opponents fearful.

“He’s going to be a formidable blocker,” said Scates. “Like Robins, he has great court instincts and a reliable jump serve. We’re looking forward to his contributions.”

The fourth outside hitter is third-year sophomore Matt Davis, who earned a letter by playing in six matches a year ago and spiking a career best seven kills against CS San Bernardino. “Matt has improved his passing dramatically and is digging better than ever,” said Scates.