Chris Peña knows the UCLA men’s volleyball team has a big weekend to look forward to in Provo, Utah, as it faces No. 3 BYU tonight and Saturday night.

Peña, a junior quick hitter, knows all about BYU’s Smith Fieldhouse – a tiny arena that is always packed, and always loud.

He knows all about the elevation in Provo, and how the higher altitude has affected UCLA serving there in the past.

Despite what Peña knows, he isn’t fazed.

“It is a really a big weekend for us,” Peña said. “I hear the altitude has an effect. Yes, the arena is loud, small and overbearing, but you just have to block that out. I play for all that– it doesn’t bother me.”

Peña and his teammates may not be affected by a high pressure setting like Smith Fieldhouse, but they should note that UCLA has not beat the Cougars (3-1, 3-1 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation) in Provo since March of 1997.

“If you miss a serve, they play a soundbite from “The Simpsons” of Homer saying, ‘D’oh!,’” UCLA head coach Al Scates said. “Everyone else (in the league) expects neutrality, and no one else does stuff like that, so it’s a clear advantage. It’s a great homecourt.”

The back-to-back matches also will not faze senior setter Rich Nelson, despite the pinched nerve in his back.

“I don’t think it will really affect me that much, I’ve been going day by day and my back feels good right now,” Nelson said. “I’m hoping that in between matches I’ll get some good treatment and I’ll be fine.”

Last season UCLA (4-3, 1-2) and BYU split a pair of matches at Pauley Pavilion.

BYU junior opposite Jonathan Alleman was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division I/II Men’s Volleyball Player of the Week January 20 after recording 60 kills, 7 blocks and 12 digs in the Cougars’ two victories over Stanford Jan. 17 and 18.

To prepare for the higher elevation of Provo, the Bruins have been practicing on a shortened court, as serves fly three feet longer at BYU, according to Scates.

“We are trying to get in a longer practice up there and get some extra serving practicing,” Nelson said.

Scates noted senior outside hitter Rafael Paal and senior outside hitter Luka Slabe as two Cougars the Bruins will have to contain. Paal posted 20 kills in BYU’s victory over Stanford Jan. 17.

The daunting nature of this weekend’s matches seems to entice the Bruins greatly.

“I think we are strong enough to do some damage up there,” Scates said.