With an unfavorable ranking and two losses from last year in tow, it seemed like the Bruins would be walking into Playa del Rey with the disadvantage. Read more...

Photo: Junior Julie Consani (pictured) won the No. 3 doubles point with her partner, sophomore Laurel Weaver, 21-18, 19-21, 15-12 to score UCLA’s fourth point against Loyola Marymount. (Aubrey Yeo/Daily Bruin senior staff)

UCLA sand volleyball may have already had two seasons under its belt, but the opening match of the Bruins’ third season still managed to feature several firsts. Read more...

Photo: UCLA sand volleyball opened the 2015 season with a 4-1 win over Cal State Northridge in the newly constructed Matador Sand Volleyball Facility. (Courtesy UCLA Athletics)

UCLA sand volleyball may be playing its first opponent of the season on Thursday, but the team’s focus remains internal. So much so that a typical practice up in Sunset Canyon Recreation Center almost takes the appearance of a Bruins vs. Read more...

Photo: Junior Julie Consani (left) said that after practices filled with inter-squad scrimmages, the Bruins are now ready to compete against other schools. (UCLA Athletics)

Carpool? Check. Volleyballs and volleyball net antennas distributed among the passengers? Check. Ample time? Not quite. When UCLA sand volleyball’s practice facility is more than a 7-mile drive through early morning traffic away from campus, time becomes a precious commodity. Read more...

Photo: UCLA sand volleyball coach Stein Metzger pushed for an on-campus training facility for UCLA’s newest NCAA team. (Daily Bruin file photo)