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UCLA Women’s Volleyball Is Ready For The Kill In 2014

By Mike Regalado

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Jan 12, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; A UCLA Bruins logo at the entrance to Pauley Pavilion before the UCLA Bruins defeated Arizona State Sun Devils 87-72. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Fielding-USA TODAY Sports

With the academic and athletic year starting, Go Joe Bruin takes a look at UCLA Women’s Volleyball. After a disappointing end to the 2013 season, the Bruins look to get back to elite status in 2014. The Bruins have a preseason All-American, as well as return 3 of their top five hitters from last year. They also have four transfers that look to make a big impact. All of this will need to come together as UCLA has a tough conference to go through, potentially facing four Pac-12 teams that were named to the AVCA Preseason Poll, with Stanford, Washington and USC in the Top Five.

Head Coach Michael Sealy is no stranger to success, but unfortunately had to endure a 15-15 record last season. Sealy and the Bruins are only three-years removed from a National Championship, so there is no doubting his abilities. Sealy also boasts a 90-38 record in his time in Westwood, so he can get it done. But in regards to this year, the Bruins are in a bit of rebuilding mode.

Lucky for him, he has Preseason All-American, senior Karsta Lowe in his arsenal. Lowe was a “killer” last season, pun intended. She was in the top five of kills and points per set (4.3 and 4.7, respectively) in the Pac-12 a year ago and looks to continue that push in her final year. To aid in her quest for success, Maddy Klineman and Haley Lawless return as they each offered 2.2 and 1.8 kills per set last season, respectively.

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    • The Bruins also get some experience coming in the form of transfers Izzy Carmona (Florida State), Julie Consani (Cal State Fullerton), Taylor Formico (UC Santa Barbara) and Michaela Leonard (San Jose State) and look to give the Bruins immediate depth and options. Click HERE for full roster.

    The Bruins were not ranked in the AVCA Preseason Poll, but they did get 23 votes, which technically makes them tied for 35th with Michigan. The Bruins will have to prove themselves as they are picked to finish behind Colorado, Arizona, California, Oregon, #25 Arizona State, #5 USC, #4 Washington and #3 Stanford. It is going to be a rumble in the Pac-12 this year, that is for sure.

    2014 Schedule

    Here are the first ten games for the Bruins. For the full schedule, click HERE. All times PT.

    Fri, Aug 23 Alumni Match at the Wooden Center, 1 p.m.

    Fri, Aug 29 vs. Binghamton (at Loyola Marymount University), 5 p.m.

    Sat, Aug 30 vs. LIU Brooklyn (at LMU), 11 a.m.

    Sat, Aug 30 vs. LMU (at LMU), 7:30 p.m.

    Fri, Sep 5 vs. Illinois (at Stanford), 8 p.m.

    Sat, Sep 6 vs. Penn State (at Stanford), 5 p.m.

    Thu, Sep 11 vs. San Francisco (at Hawai’i)

    Fri, Sep 12 vs. Hawai’i (at Hawai’i)

    Sat, Sep 13 vs. Utah State (at Hawai’i)

    Fri, Sep 19 vs. Georgetown (at Cal State Fullerton)

    Go Bruins!