Can Huskies top #1 UCLA?

Two weeks ago, Illinois was the number one ranked team in the nation. Since then, the Illini have lost three of four, all of them badly.

Last week, it was Nebraska’s turn at the top. The Cornhuskers promptly lost—first, a match to Penn State, then, hours later, their starting setter was arrested (and is out for this weekend’s home matches against #23 Michigan and Michigan State.)

This week, UCLA is ranked #1. Tonight they host #10 Washington. Will the Bruins hang on, or will the top rank jinx continue?

UCLA has just three losses this season:

• a 2-3 preseason setback to #14 Pepperdine (the Waves won the fifth set 15-13);
• a 2-3 conference road loss to Arizona (the Wildcats won set five 15-12);
• an 0-3 sweep in Seattle at the hands of Washington (24-26, 12-25, 20-25)

In Washington’s September 17 victory:

• The Huskies hit .340; the Bruins .243
• Bianca Rowland had 12 kills and just one error on 17 attempts (.647), her best outing of the season.
• Kylin Muñoz wasn’t far behind: 13 kills, 1 error on 28 swings (.429)
• UW had 8 services aces (3 by Krista Vansant) and just one service error. The Bruins had no aces and 6 service errors.

Washington won convincingly despite recording only 7.5 team blocks … one of its lowest block totals of the season. UCLA’s big star, Rachael Kidder, had one of her usual big nights, getting 16 kills and 3 errors on 30 attacks (.433). Kelly Reeves also came up big: 9-2-16 (.438)

Tonight, the Bruins should see a few new twists. Washington has gone to a 6/2 (six hitter/two setter) offense, introducing sophomore outside hitter Gabbi Parker as both an offensive and blocking threat (she will also be Washington’s only jump server.) The 6/2 had a lot of problems when it was introduced three weeks ago in the Bay Area, and there were still rough spots in a 5-set UW win against Arizona State. But it seemed to click in a sweep of Arizona, and tonight’s match will be a real test.

The match will be played in the John Wooden Center, a fairly modern intermural facility across Bruin Walk from Pauley Pavilion. Pauley is undergoing a major renovation all this season.

The match will be carried live tonight, at no cost, on UCLA's All Access web channel.

You can also follow along with Paul Isaac's live chat on gohuskies.com

Washington's Bianca Rowland (15) had a huge night when UCLA came to Seattle earlier this season
[Volleyblog Seattle photo by Leslie Hamann]