Page 2 - Grayce Olson News Today

UCLA women’s volleyball (8-2) is just days away from commencing Pac-12 play after locking in its strongest nonconference record since 2016. The Bruins will step foot in Pauley Pavilion for the first time this season, kicking off a four-game homestand on Wednesday before getting back on the road to head south to Arizona.

The Bruins are returning to Westwood and gearing up to serve off in front of stands adorned in blue and gold. Just as it has for the last few years, UCLA women’s volleyball (8-2) will open up Pac-12 play across the net from USC (6-4) on Wednesday night in an attempt to lock in its first victory of the season at Pauley Pavilion.

The Bruins and Sooners were deadlocked at 25 apiece in the fourth frame on Saturday. Two outcomes hung in the balance – falling victim to a series sweep or orchestrating a four-set victory to depart Oklahoma with a win.

Anna Dodson had one thing to say after the Bruins’ trip to Hawaii. “We are playing a new style of Bruin volleyball,” said the redshirt senior middle blocker.

The Bruins’ depth-filled roster has been their anchor heading into their final nonconference games of the season. UCLA women’s volleyball (7-1) will cap off its season-opening three-week road trip with back-to-back contests against Oklahoma (5-2) in the McCasland Field House on Friday and Saturday.

The Bruins washed out the Rainbow Wahine on Sunday night. UCLA women’s volleyball (7-1) closed the Outrigger Volleyball Challenge by adding a third win in as many matches over Hawaiʻi (5-3) in the Stan Sheriff Center to clinch the tournament for the second consecutive year after defeating Pepperdine and Liberty on Thursday and Friday, respectively.

From comeback to cleanup, the Bruins are already breaking records just seven games into their season. UCLA women’s volleyball (6-1) started its journey in the Aloha State, defeating Pepperdine (1-6) on Thursday 3-2 before handing Liberty (7-1) its first loss of the season Friday in sweeping fashion at the Outrigger Volleyball Challenge.

The Bruins closed their Louisiana trip with a first-of-its-kind victory. UCLA women’s volleyball (2-1) clinched a three-set victory over Northwestern State (0-4) on Monday. The Bruins managed a start-to-finish domination against the Lady Demons in the squads’ inaugural matchup.

After introducing an entirely new coaching staff, UCLA women’s volleyball is gearing up for its 2023 campaign following a narrow miss of the NCAA playoffs last year.

Pac-12 Volleyball NCAA Tournament History (PDF) // 2022 NCAA Women's Volleyball Bracket