The freshman had hit only one serve in over four sets. It was crunch time – the final set of Saturday’s must-win matchup against Long Beach State– and it was up to middle blocker Mitch Stahl to get his team back on track. Read more...

Photo: Freshman setter Hagen Smith (left) and freshman middle blocker Mitch Stahl (left) reach for a block. Stahl has recently transitioned back to his original position of middle blocker, where he feels he is most comfortable and able to contribute. (Nathan Vanderveer-Harris/Daily Bruin)

All Spencer Rowe wanted for his birthday was a win. Wins have come few and far between for UCLA men’s volleyball lately, but on Saturday night the Bruins finally earned themselves a coveted match point. Read more...

Photo: Senior middle blocker Spencer Rowe came up with the game-winning kill in a win over Long Beach State on his birthday Saturday. (Nathan Vanderveer-Harris/Daily Bruin)

It was a scenario that has become all too familiar for the UCLA men’s volleyball team. After dropping a crucial first set to Cal State Northridge Thursday night, the team battled back to win the second and fourth sets before dropping the fifth in overtime and losing the match 3-2. Read more...

Photo: Senior outside hitter Gonzola Quiroga that in the context of difficult teams UCLA is set to face, the team has not “played (its) best volleyball yet.”(Nathan Vanderveer-Harris/Daily Bruin)

The Bruins had a setter playing at libero. They had another setter playing at outside hitter. They had a middle blocker playing at opposite hitter. They were mixing and matching, searching for an answer, but the No. Read more...

Photo: Despite UCLA’s recent struggles, senior middle blocker Spencer Rowe said the team still has its sights set on a national championship. (Jessica Zhou/Daily Bruin)