UCLA Men’s Volleyball: Al Scates to coach his last game at home against BYU (UPDATED)

In case you didn’t know, there’s a living legend coaching UCLA’s Men’s Volleyball team. Al Scates is currently in his 50th year as head coach of the volleyball team. That’s half a century of greatness. And, if we’re honest, “greatness” is an understatement.

The resume? 19 NCAA championships, two USVBA championships, five NCAA runner-up distinctions, and three undefeated seasons.

Those are some silly numbers, that might put him in the same class as John Wooden when it comes to intercollegiate athletics head coaches.

Alas, the road ends on Saturday night, with Al Scates’ home finale against BYU on Senior Night. Scates will have his jersey number retired. The game begins at 7 p.m.

UCLA currently boasts a 21-5 record, and is ranked third in the nation. Our only losses? U$C, Irvine (twice), Long Beach State, and UCSD. According to the video below, winning the next three games against BYU, Pacific and Stanford would all but guarantee them the No. 1 ranking in the nation.

UCLA’s Men’s Volleyball squad beat BYU on Friday night in a nailbiter, with a packed John Wooden Center cheering on the team:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vmNJJnqkT9o

Should be interesting, and if you can make it out, please do so, because it will be off the hook, y’all.

GO BRUINS!!!

(Update: Apparently, BYU is contesting an out of bounds call, and last night’s thriller which culminated in a UCLA win over BYU will be nullified. The teams will restart the match from the fifth set at 16-16 and play from there before playing in Al Scates’ final home game. Oh my.)