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EDWARD LIN/Daily Bruin Senior Staff Adam Shrader's late-season injury hurt the Bruins.

By Daniel Miller

Daily Bruin Contributor

dmiller@media.ucla.edu

Like always, head coach Al Scates had high hopes for the UCLA men’s volleyball team this season.

Unlike most seasons, this one ended in disappointment as the Bruins lost to Santa Barbara 3-2 in the first round of the MPSF playoffs.

“It was a huge disappointment because we were playing so well in January,” Scates said. “We were hitting a lot better and blocking a lot better then. Whenever we lose our last match of the year, it is not a successful season.”

UCLA has won 18 national championships – all in Scates’ 40-year tenure.

While it may seem silly to contemplate “what if” scenarios, the injuries the team endured cannot be ignored. Junior middle blocker Scott Morrow and freshman outside hitter Jonathan Acosta were injured for the home stretch of the regular season, each returning for the team’s final match.

“We never have seen such a rash of injuries,” Scates said. “It was just a culmination of injuries that slowed us down at the end of the season. Not having a starting six that played together hurt.”

Still, some team members refuse to blame the Bruins’ early playoff exit on injuries.

“Personally, I was very disappointed in the outcome of the season,” sophomore middle blocker Chris Peña said. “I don’t like to talk about what we could have done. As far as injuries go, they happen.

“It’s unfortunate that we are out this early,” Peña continued. “I’m not used to watching other teams play. I lose a lot of sleep over it. We had really good team chemistry; I put energy into being some of the glue that held the team together. We all communicate well and it’s really a shame that we had that match (against Santa Barbara) in our hands and let it slip away. Toward the end of the season I saw our intensity dwindle.”

Several Bruins garnered MPSF All-League positions. Sophomore libero Adam Shrader was the sole UCLA player to make the first team. Senior outside hitter Matt Komer was second team. Junior outside hitter Cameron Mount and junior setter Rich Nelson were third team. Also, junior middle blocker Scott Morrow and Peña were honorable mentions.

Next year, the biggest problem for the team will be filling the hole created by the departure of team captain Komer, the squad’s only senior.

Komer played in every game this season, and it will be difficult to effectively replace such a complete player. According to Scates, Komer had an effective jump serve, was an outstanding passer and an excellent hitter. Acosta and freshman outside hitter Gray Garrett will vie for Komer’s position. Acosta’s strength is hitting, while Garrett’s is passing.

“This season was disappointing, but we had such a young team this year,” Morrow said. “I think that next year we will have a really strong team with more experience.”

In recent years Scates has picked the team’s captain, but next year he may let the players vote for their captain due to the abundance of qualified athletes. Scates noted Mount, Nelson and Morrow as possible candidates.

This summer Scates will work with the USA men’s volleyball team “to see what other teams are doing,” while the players will practice in the gym and on the beaches.

Scates knows the players will be practicing hard. “It gives you motivation when you finish like this,” he said.