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Setting it up on a silver platter

After guiding the UCLA men's volleyball team to the NCAA Championship Finals in 1994, Bruin setter Stein Metzger has improved in every statistical category this year and is quickly establishing himself as one of the elites in collegiate volleyball.

By Eric Branch

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

It's not hard to see how Stein Metzger might be overlooked. When you play setter on the undefeated top-ranked UCLA men's volleyball team which features three All-American hitters in Jeff Nygaard, Kevin Wong and Erik Sullivan, the attention can be spread pretty thin.

On a team of leading men, Metzger has often been as recognized as the movie credits. There is a certain sense that all Metzger has to do is pop a few balls in the air, watch a 6-9 hitter blast away, towel off and go home. However, the man regarded as the most athletic setter in the nation is building his own fan club.

"I think he's been overlooked by the volleyball community," Pepperdine head coach Marv Dunphy said. "(UCLA) has a team loaded with fifth-year seniors who get most of the attention but I think he's what makes them tick. Their hitters are always getting good swings because of him ­ I hope this year he'll start getting his due."

While Dunphy may be busy spreading the good word, he doesn't need to inform USC head coach Jim McLaughlin about Metzger's talents. In a sweep of the then second-ranked Trojans earlier in the season, the junior setter dished out 65 assists to go along with eight kills, seven digs, three blocks and an ace.

"Unfortunately, I can't help but recognize Stein," the Trojans' six-year head coach said. "He's tremendous. He's really learned how to run an offense. I think their offense has shown a better tempo this year than the other teams I've seen at UCLA. It's because of Stein."

As for the subject himself ­ he doesn't really care who recognizes him. Strangely, only UCLA heavily recruited Metzger coming out of Punahou High School in Honolulu. This after Metzger merely led his team to three state championships and garnered all-state MVP honors as a senior. You could say Metzger is accustomed to his role in the shadows.

"On this team, everyone is going to look at ('94 Player of the Year Jeff) Nygaard first and it just keeps going down from there," Metzger said. "Of course, because I'm surrounded by all these huge hitters I'm going to be looked at last. But I kind of like being in the background ­ the other guys get all the stats. I'm just the intangibles guy."

Of course, under Metzger's definition, a conference leading 17.6 assists per game and a .387 hitting percentage qualify as intangibles. In his second year as a starter, the 6-foot-4-inch setter has improved in every statistical category from last year.

"Stein is becoming more consistent and maturing as a setter," said UCLA assistant coach Brian Rofer. "He is showing better decision making and figuring out who the hot hitters are. Right now he is athletically the best setter in the nation. If he keeps improving, he will be the best setter by the time he leaves UCLA."

After last year's unspeakable five-game loss to Penn State in the NCAA finals, Metzger found out what needed the most improvement. In fact, Metzger can probably recall every one of Penn State All-American Ramon Hernandez' 38 kills.

"Last year I was the weakest link in blocking," Metzger said. "In the finals, they just set Hernandez over me every time ­ that's how we lost. I mean, he hit like .900. We could have dug some of those, but if I had blocked better it could have been a different story."

Metzger, who has dramatically improved his blocking (.65 per game to 1.1) this year, has not been scarred by the NCAA final nightmare. In fact, not much disrupts his confidence ­ not even battling senior All-American Mike Sealy for the setting position as a freshman.

"I didn't come in (to UCLA) intimidated," Metzger said. "I was very confident because I grew up all my life playing against older guys so I've always tried to be real outgoing and confident. I came in and planned on beating out Sealy. I did everything I could ­ it didn't work out but it made me a lot better."

Over two years later, it is obvious just how much better Metzger has become. In fact, some even believe that if another Sealy and Metzger battle occurred now ...

"I think right now he's better than Sealy was in college," McLaughlin said.

While Metzger might have already cast off his role as a setter in the shadows, he may not be aware of it. He is somewhat surprised that others hail him among the best in the nation and predict a spot on the U.S. National Team.

"I have a hard time seeing it because I never expected to be at this level," Metzger said. "When I was in high school, a doctor told me I was only going to be 6-0 and I pretty much started to break down and cry. I thought I'd never be able to play. But I've just kept improving and growing and it's worked out."

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