January 9, 1999

LOS ANGELES - Defending NCAA men's volleyball champion UCLA took a shot to the chin Saturday night when a star-studded Bruin alumni team handed the varsity a 3-0 defeat.

The Alumni team won 15-11, 15-10, 15-11 in two hours at the John Wooden Center.

UCLA's all-time kills leader Paul Nihipali led the Alumni team with 19 kills and 10 digs, followed by beach veteran Kevin Wong's 13 kills and U.S. National Team starter Erik Sullivan's 12. Former two-time player of the year Jeff Nygaard added four kills in limited action and three blocks.

The Bruin varsity was led by junior opposite Evan Thatcher's 13 kills. Freshman Matt Komer added eight kills off the bench in Game 3. Starting middle blocker Danny Farmer did not play because of a heel injury, but is expected to return for the Bruins' league opener against UC Santa Barbara Jan. 13.