Go Joe Bruin
Fansided

UCLA: NCAA Tournament Weekend

By Ryan Kay

May 5, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General overall view as UCLA Bruins outside hitter Jake Arnitz (15) serves the ball against the Long Beach State 49ers during the NCAA Volleyball Championship at Pauley Pavilion. Long Beach State defeated UCLA, 25-19, 23-25, 20-25, 26-14, 15-12. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General overall view as UCLA Bruins outside hitter Jake Arnitz (15) serves the ball against the Long Beach State 49ers during the NCAA Volleyball Championship at Pauley Pavilion. Long Beach State defeated UCLA, 25-19, 23-25, 20-25, 26-14, 15-12. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Headlined by the Men’s Volleyball team playing for the national championship this weekend.

If you are a fan of UCLA volleyball, ESPN 2 is the place to watch the Bruins in the NCAA Tournament. The men’s volleyball team plays on ESPN 2 today for the opportunity to win the national championship and UCLA’s beach volleyball team plays today as well against Cal with a chance to advance to the semifinals of the NCAA tournament. Let’s take a closer look at all of the UCLA teams competing in the NCAA tournaments for their sports.

Men’s Volleyball

UCLA’s men’s volleyball team will be playing Hawaii for the opportunity to claim a national championship today. The Bruins are looking to capture their 20th men’s volleyball national championship with their last title taking place in 2006. UCLA last played for a national title in 2018 but lost in the title game failing short of capturing the program’s 20th national title. Bruins head coach John Speraw is looking to personally capture his fourth national championship as a head coach as he previously as a head coach at UC Irvine won national titles in 2007, 2009, and 2012. If UCLA were to win the championship today against Hawaii, it would be his first national title as the Bruin head coach.

Prediction: UCLA entered this tournament as the No. 1 seed as they have won 11 straight. However, their last defeat was to Hawaii back on March 11th but it was on the road and not at a neutral site as this match-up will take place in Alabama. Look for the Bruins to win a national championship in a close one 3-2 (25-22, 16-25, 25-20, 21-25, 15-10).

Beach Volleyball

Date and Time: May 6 (Sat) 7:00 AM PT

Matchup: UCLA 38-3 vs. California 29-9

Location: Gulf Shores, AL

TV/Streaming:  ESPN2

NCAA Bracket:  Tournament Bracket

Prediction: UCLA is the No. 1 seed in the tournament and had an outstanding first-round game against Texas A&M – Corpus Christi in the first round of the tournament. The Bruins with an impressive 38-3 record more than likely will get a second-round win to advance to the semi-finals of the tournament as they face off against fellow Pac-12 member Cal. UCLA recently played Cal and defeated the Bears on April 28th, 3-0. Look for the Bruins to defeat the Bears 3-1 and will face off against the winner of the LSU and Florida State.

Women’s Tennis

Date and Time: May 6 (Sat) 1:00 PM PT

Matchup: UCLA 14-7 vs. No. 6 Duke 23-4

Next Opponent: Winner of Iowa State and Wisconsin

Location: Durham, N.C.

NCAA Bracket: Tournament Bracket

Prediction: The Bruins have an opportunity to pull off the upset but Duke on paper is the favorite in this match and the Blue Devils are playing on their home court as well. With all of that said UCLA should be able to be very competitive in this match but UCLA will be unable to pull off the upset in round two of the NCAA tournament.

Men’s Tennis

The men’s Tennis team lost and failed to advance to the second round to play No. 4 Kentucky. The team played well this season but was unable to defeat the Wildcats who advanced in the tournament for the third straight season to the second round of the NCAA tournament.

UCLA Bruins Baseball team looks to do well to end the season. light. Related Story