Men's Sports, Men's Volleyball, Sports

UCLA snatches big win from LBSU

After winning its first two sets, the Long Beach State men’s volleyball team dropped three sets in a row to fall to No. 1 UCLA, 3-2, on Wednesday night at Pauley Pavilion.

No. 2 LBSU (6-2, 3-2 MPSF) stunned the top-ranked Bruins by jumping to a quick start and grabbing the first two sets.

The 49ers had to overcome a 21-18 deficit in the first set. They rallied to tie the score at 23 after freshman outside hitter TJ Defalco delivered back-to-back kills. On the next play, junior Eric Ensing’s serve resulted in an ace giving LBSU a 24-23 lead and the 49ers finished off the run by taking the first set, 25-23.

LBSU parlayed its momentum into a 25-22 win in set two. However, UCLA (9-0, 5-0 MPSF) stormed back.

The Bruins jumped out to a quick 5-2 lead in the third set. Sophomore outside hitter Jake Arnitz’s kill from the back row gave the Bruins a 23-19 lead and the Bruins eventually closed the set out, 25-19, to get on the board.

UCLA closed out the third set and then forced the match into a decisive fifth set following sophomore JT Hatch’s kill to finish the fourth.

Although the Bruins jumped out to a quick lead in the fifth set following three LBSU serving errors, the 49ers tied the set at 13 forcing UCLA to take a timeout. The Bruins’ freshman setter Micah Ma’a eventually finished off the 49ers with an ace, completing the Bruins come-from-behind effort.

DeFalco led LBSU with 21 kills and 14 digs while Ensing tallied 16 kills and 11 scoops.

The 49ers will play at UC Santa Barbara next on Friday at 7 p.m.

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