Jan. 11, 2000

UCLA VB Quick Facts

Recent Results:
Jan. 7 UCLA d. Long Beach* St., 3-2
Jan. 8 UCLA d. Pacific*, 3-0
Jan. 8 UCLA d. UC Irvine*, 3-0
*Wyndham Gardens West Coast Challenge

Upcoming Matches:
Jan. 14 vs. Alumni, 7 p.m. Pauley
Jan. 19 vs. Manitoba (Canada), 7 p.m. Pauley

Probable Bruin Starters:
#1 Seth Burnham, 6-7, Sr., Q, Santa Cruz, CA
#3 Brandon Taliaferro, 6-5, Sr., S, San Clemente, CA OR
#15 Rich Nelson, 6-3, 160, Fr.,Valencia, CA
#5 Mark Williams, 6-7, Jr., OH, Los Angeles, CA
#6 Seth Champi, 6-6, Jr., Q, Hanford, CA OR
#14 Scott Morrow, 6-8, Fr., Q, Encinitas, CA
#9 Evan Thatcher, 6-8, Sr., Op, Encinitas, CA
#4 Matt Davis, 6-4, 195, Sr., L, Encinitas, CA

The 2000 Bruins - The seventh ranked UCLA Bruins (Volleyball Magazine) began the 2000 season by upsetting preseason top-ranked Long Beach State, 3-2 on Fri., Jan. 7. The Bruins also swept matches against the University of the Pacific and UC Irvine on Jan. 8 to capture the Wyndham Gardens West Coast Challenge title.

Upcoming Matches - The Bruins will host their annual Alumni match Fri., Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. in Pauley Pavilion. Expected to participate are recent UCLA alums Mike Sealy (1990-93)), Paul Nihipali (1994-97), Fred Robins (1996-99), Ben Moselle (1996-98), Matt Taylor (1993-96), Charlie Jackson (1996-98), Court Young (1998-99), Jason Harper (1996) and Tom Stillwell (1995-98) among others. Also expected to appear but not play will be legends Sinjin Smith (1976-79) and Karch Kiraly (1979-82).

On Jan. 19, the Bruins will host the University of Manitoba Bisons from British Columbia. First serve begins at 7 p.m. in Pauley Pavilion. The Bruins begin their MPSF season on the road, travelling to Pacific on Jan. 21 and Stanford on Jan. 22.

UCLA Coach Al Scates - In his 38th campaign with an overall record of 969-154 (.863). Scates has won 17 national championships, an NCAA single sport record. His career coaching record leads all NCAA volleyball coaches in every division of both genders. He is the only volleyball coach to have guided three teams to undefeated records (1979, 1982 and 1984) and four teams to four consecutive NCAA titles (1981-84). In 1998, Scates captured a rare trifecta: earning the AVCA, U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Volleyball Coach of the Year honors.

Last Week - In their 3-2 victory over Long Beach State, the Bruins recorded a season best 47 block assists and a team total of 26.5 blocks (three solos, 27 block assists). That was their highest total since a Jan. 30, 1999 match against Loyola Marymount in the John Wooden Center. Seniors Seth Burnham and Evan Thatcher each recorded career highs for blocks in the LBS match with 12 and 10, respectively. Both players also recorded double-doubles. Thatcher spiked a team-high 24 kills and Burnham pounded a career best 13 kills. Freshman Scott Morrow, in his first collegiate match, also recorded a double-double, spiking 11 kills (.556) and blocking 10 balls, including two solos.

The Bruins swept Pacific and host UC Irvine. Junior Mark Williams recorded 16 kills and four blocks, followed by Thatcher's 10 kills and three blocks against UCI. Senior Ed Ratledge spiked 13 kills and blocked four balls against UOP. Morrow and sophomore Matt Komer each added 10 kills against the Tigers.

For the weekend, Williams served eight aces and currently boasts a 0.73 ace average. Burnham recorded a total of 25 block assists for a 2.27 average, followed by Morrow's 17 total blocks (including three solos) for a 1.70 average. Morrow and Burnham also emerged as the team's most accurate hitters: Morrow hit for a .575 average (26-3-40) and Burnham finished at .404 (30-7-57). Komer (.692) and Ratledge (.476) also hit well in one match of action.