University of Washington
UCLA
Huskies Knock Off 12th-Ranked Bruins In Three
October 02, 2010 | Volleyball
Oct. 2, 2010
SEATTLE - The 10th-ranked Husky volleyball squad finished off a big weekend with a three-set sweep of 12th-ranked UCLA tonight at Hed Edmundson Pavilion. One night after nearly letting a 2-0 lead slip away in a win over No. 5 USC, the Huskies (14-1, 3-1 Pac-10) fought through to the finish tonight, playing their best in set three to complete the 25-20, 26-24, 25-17 sweep. It marks the eighth-straight win for Washington over the Bruins (11-3, 1-2 Pac-10).
Becky Perry had her second double-double of the weekend with 11 kills and 12 digs, making just one error, and fellow senior Kindra Carlson had a match-high 13 kills. Senior Jenna Hagglund spread the ball around to the tune of 43 assists and helped UW hit .331 for the night while UCLA managed just .115 against the stiff UW defense, led by the 17 digs of Jenna Orlandini. The stat of the night was 12 team blocks for the Dawgs, with junior Lauren Barfield earning nine block assists to go along with seven kills and no errors on 10 attempts (.700) in one of the best showings of her career.
Head coach Jim McLaughlin was pleased with the set three effort level. "I liked how we answered the challenge of coming back after a tough game, and emotional [second] game, and not hit that valley. Lauren got a return on all the work in practice, and we're going to get more return. It's a real good thing when you learn how to work hard and you get a good return and you know it; it becomes somewhat addictive. It's really good for her," said the 10th-year coach.
In the first set, Kelly Holford floated an ace off the UCLA defense for an early 3-2 lead, then after a Bruins error, she dropped another one short that resulted in an overpass and a Rowland spike. Lauren Barfield checked in and teamed up with Hagglund for UW's first big block of the night and a 7-3 UW advantage. Perry's first kill pushed the lead up to 9-6 UW. Carlson kept the lead at three with a delicate tip over the defense for a 12-9 edge. Barfield grabbed her third block of the set on the right side, and then ran around for her first kill of the night for a 16-13 lead. Munoz's first kill high off the block finally stretched the lead to four points for the first time at 18-14, and UCLA took its first timeout. After dropping in her second tip of the set, Carlson came back two points later and brought the hammer this time, pounding one off the Bruin 'D' and into the Dawg Pack for a 22-17 lead and another UCLA timeout. Back-to-back Perry swings on the left side gave UW set point, and Perry spanked another crosscourt a few points later to finish off the 25-20 first set win. Carlson had six kills in the first set and Perry added four as the Dawgs hit .371 compared to just .188 for UCLA. Washington also stuffed four Bruin attacks in the set.
UCLA opened a 5-3 lead to start the second set, but the Huskies rallied back with a 4-0 run, including big swings from Carlson and Perry for a 7-5 edge. Barfield pounded down her second kill on the left side and then leapt out of the middle for her third just two points later for a 9-7 lead. UCLA rallied off a couple Husky errors for a 10-9 lead, but UW responded with a 3-0 run to force UCLA to take time. Carlson found the range on her serve in the run, and she and Perry each landed kills in the rally. But the Bruins answered back again with a 4-0 run of its own and now UW needed a T.O. Rowland had a kill followed by a solo rejection to tie things back up at 14. UCLA had a quick two-point lead, but UW came back to tie, but another Bruins run made it 22-20 and the Huskies took time. After the break, McGraw tried a tip but Rowland was ready for her second solo stuff of the night. Holford then sent in an ace to tie things back up, and Carlson banged the next one off the back row defenders and out to retake the lead and force UCLA's final timeout. But it was the Bruins that picked up the first set point after Todorovic rolled one over the block for a 24-23 lead. But UCLA mishandled its next set to tie things, and then an Orlandini serve got UCLA off kilter and they grazed the net for set point Huskies. Todorovic went with a full swing this time and paid the price, as Barfield and Perry met her and pounded the ball straight back down for the 26-24 win. Barfield hit 3-for-3 in the second set, and UW hit .280 to just .132 for UCLA.
The teams went back and forth to start the third, Carlson nailing a down the line rightside kill, and Perry going crosscourt to tie things at 5-all. Barfield posted her fifth block of the night and then dropped in her fifth kill shortly thereafter for a 7-6 UW lead. Perry leaped out of the back row but then dropped it over the block for her 10th kill and a 12-9 UW lead. Muñoz then pulled one down the line to stretch to a four-point lead and UCLA needed timeout. Rowland's next swing was untouchable, and Carlson swooped in for another smash as the Dawgs continued to make all the hustle plays, with Jenna Orlandini tallying six digs in the third set alone. A diving dig by Hagglund was followed by a great tough swing off the block by Perry and UW had jumped out to a 16-11 edge and the Bruins took their last break. Barfield stuffed her sixth kill, then got her seventh block on the next point with Carlson in tow as the Dawgs moved up 19-12. Barfield would continue to dominate, adding yet another block and kill as UW was in cruise control. Munoz's fifth kill brought up match point, and the sophomore finished it off two points later, using the block to her advantage again. Muñoz had three kills on five swings in the third, and UW outblocked UCLA 5-1, with five block assists for Barfield.
Washington will return to the floor next Friday, October 8, to face the Cougars in a 7 p.m. match that will be broadcast on tape delay by FSN. Husky great Courtney Thompson will also be honored at that match as part of the Husky Legends series that honored former All-American Laurie Wetzel this evening between the first and second sets.
