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Kris Kraushaar and the UCLA men’s volleyball team defeated Hawai’i on Saturday.

Before leaving for Oahu, UCLA men’s volleyball coach Al Scates said teams rarely beat Hawai’i in the second match there.

“We are an exception, of course.”

Scates made that declaration at the end of the weekend, after the Bruins flipped the precedent on its head when they defeated the Warriors 3-1 Saturday to avenge Thursday’s 3-2 loss. UCLA’s win snapped Hawai’i’s 10-match winning streak.

The first of the two matches saw the No. 2 Bruins relinquish a 2-1 lead as the Warriors picked up the last two games to win the match, 26-30, 30-28, 25-30, 30-26, 15-9. With the score tied at 7-7 in the fifth game, UCLA outside hitter Damien Scott served what Scates said was an ace, but referees called the ball out.

That was the turning point in the game, after which Pedro Azenha’s excellent serving netted five points for the No. 1 Warriors (11-3 overall, 8-2 MPSF) en route to the victory.

“I have never seen anyone serve so well in the fifth game of a match anywhere in the world, and that was it,” Scates said.

Despite the loss, the Bruins (13-3 overall, 8-3 MPSF) came away with new knowledge of the Warriors’ game, and studied an abundance of film Friday in preparation for Saturday’s rematch.

“Fortunately it rained almost the entire time, so we were inside looking at tape and practicing in the gym,” Scates said.

The Bruins said watching tape paid dividends – and it showed in the box score, as UCLA soundly beat Hawai’i, 30-15, 21-30, 30-27, 30-23.

“We decided we were not going to hold back,” senior opposite Marcin Jagoda said. “That’s what we did in game one, and that’s what we are capable of doing.”

The Warriors’ 15 points in the first game was Hawai’i’s lowest total ever in a game since rally scoring was put into use in collegiate volleyball.

A large part of the Bruins’ stellar effort in Saturday’s match was the play of senior quick hitter Chris Peña, who had six blocks and 10 kills. Scates said Peña put on his best blocking performance ever on Sunday.

“Hawaii had two guys on him all night, and he played truly outstanding,” Scates said.

In the third game, the Bruins battled back from a 20-23 deficit with strong serving and blocking.

“We blocked like we know we can block,” Jagoda said. “When we control the net, not too many teams can beat us.”

Scates utilized his bench in both matches, and little-used sophomore Scott played well both days. On Saturday, he finished with nine kills, an ace and three blocks.

“(Scott) made some outstanding digs in the first match,” Scates said. “He upped his play tremendously. In the second match he came in and he just played great. He stuffed the ball once straight down and he was so far over the net the rebound came under the net to our side, and the referee ruled it was their point.”

In Saturday’s match, UCLA hit .314, served nine aces and recorded 10 total blocks, while limiting Hawaii to a .241 hitting clip. Freshman outside hitter Steve Klosterman led the Bruins with 15 kills.

The Bruins relished the chance to play in front of 7,305 fans at the Stan Sheriff Center – Hawai’i’s largest crowd of the season. No one heard the fans more than Peña, who was the target of most of the audience’s jeers.

“I was doing my own thing; it’s just another perk of playing there,” Peña said. “They made me a target, and I’m easy to hate. But it’s all in good fun over there. Some big Hawaiian guys might not like it, but as long as you avoid them, it’s OK. But afterwards, it’s all congratulations.”

The UCLA men’s volleyball team resumes play Wednesday, when defending national champion Lewis visits Pauley Pavilion.

Lewis defeated UCLA in five games in the teams’ one meeting last season.