Scates has UCLA
back in shapeThe Bruins went back to basics
in preparing for this season
LOS ANGELES >> The changes in the sport of volleyball have been both dramatic and subtle over the past four decades. Al Scates has seen them all and has adapted along with the game.
There's been the move to international rules, with rally scoring, let serves and liberos. The most striking difference since the switch in 2001 has been the length of a match.
UH at UCLA
When: Saturday, 4 p.m. Hawaii time
TV: Live, OC 16
Radio: Live, KKEA (1420-AM)
Internet: www.MPSports.org
Series: UCLA leads 42-15
Previously there had been epic five-game marathons, most of which surpassed three hours. In his 42 years as UCLA coach, Scates has been involved in a number of them, including his team's victory over Hawaii for the 1996 national championship that lasted 3 hours, 11 minutes.
But now, with the point-per-serve format, even a five-gamer lasts less than 2 1/2 hours.
It was the switch to rally scoring that prompted a switch in Scates' training methods. Last season, the Bruins focused more on technique work than conditioning and weight training.
The change, combined with some injuries, left UCLA out of the league playoffs for the first time with its first sub-.500 record in the history of the program. The Bruins had never finished lower than third in the conference until last year, when they ended up ninth in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation at 10-12.
It was back to basics for the Bruins this season with a return to Scates' routine that has won him 1,059 matches and 15 NCAA titles. It meant 300 sit-ups and 300 push-ups daily and three days of weight training.
It has meant a record of 23-5 this season and the third seed in the MPSF Tournament. UCLA puts its three-match winning streak on the line Saturday against sixth-seeded Hawaii (17-11) .
"We went back to the old style of conditioning, back to what we had been doing," said the 64-year-old Scates. "We are in good physical shape and seem to get better the longer the match. We seem to be losing more Game 1s, but we play better the longer it goes."
UCLA has dropped Game 1 12 times this season and come back to win seven. Only two of those 12 matches went five, with the Bruins going 1-1, the loss coming at Hawaii on Feb. 26.
In five-game matches, UCLA is 4-1. Hawaii is 3-6, including three losses after winning Games 1 and 2.
"I think we've gotten better since we played Hawaii," said Scates, whose team has won six of its past seven. "We're familiar with all their players except for (sophomore hitter Matt) Bender. We don't know much about him, so we'll have to figure him out as we go along.
"Hawaii's a very good team. I think (junior hitter Delano) Thomas is outstanding. Their middles are strong and (sophomore hitter Pedro) Azenha's a great jump-server."
Bender played briefly in all nine games against UCLA and recorded just one kill. He has had double-figure kills in nine of his last 10 matches, including a career-high 27 in the April 2 win over No. 2 Long Beach State.
Azenha rocked the Bruins with his serves two months ago, with four aces and numerous overpasses of his serves that resulted in slam-back kills by the Warriors. Azenha was particularly effective in Game 5 of UH's win, serving four consecutive points that pulled the Warriors out to a 12-7 lead and putting down kills for two of the team's final three points.
"I don't think you can stop Azenha, just slow him down," Scates said.
The team that has brought UCLA to a halt this year is Long Beach State. The 49ers won easily in three games in both meetings with the Bruins.
It has Scates pulling for UC Santa Barbara on Saturday. The Gauchos are at Long Beach State in one of the quarterfinals.
"I think that match is going to be closer than some people think," he said. "If (sophomore opposite Evan) Patak has a good night, Santa Barbara has a chance.
"We haven't won a game against Long Beach this year and I'm rooting for UCSB. That's who we'd play if we can get past the Warriors. We're glad to be at home for this one."
Note: The other quarterfinals have No. 1 BYU hosting UC Irvine and No. 4 Pepperdine hosting Cal State Northridge. The highest remaining seed will host the MPSF semifinals April 30 and final May 1. The winner has the automatic berth into the final four May 6-8 at the Stan Sheriff Center.
