UCLA Athletics: Top 10 sports moments/accomplishments of 2022-23
By Ryan Kay
The UCLA Bruins had a successful 2022-2023 athletic season, with several teams and players achieving great things. Here is a brief summary of some of the highlights of the teams who had success athletically this past school year.
Women’s soccer: The women’s soccer team won the national championship, defeating North Carolina in double overtime. It was the Bruins’ second national title in program history.
Men’s water polo: The men’s water polo team reached the semifinals of the NCAA tournament, but fell to USC. It was the Bruins’ best finish since winning the title in 2017.
Men’s basketball: The men’s basketball team finished the regular season ranked No. 7 in the country. They reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, where they lost to Gonzaga.
Women’s basketball: The women’s basketball team finished the regular season ranked No. 14 in the country. They reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, where they lost to South Carolina.
Softball: The softball team started the season 17-0 and was ranked No. 1 in the country. They were eventually upset by Utah in the Pac-12 Tournament and by Grand Canyon and Liberty in the NCAA Tournament.
Beach volleyball: The beach volleyball team was ranked No. 1 in the country for most of the season. They reached the championship match of the NCAA Tournament but lost to USC.
Overall, it was a very successful season for UCLA athletics. The Bruins won two team national championships, reached several other championship games, and had several individual athletes achieve great things.
This is not in order of the 10 accomplishments and achievements as any one of these victories, championships, and achievements can be ranked in any order due to how impressive their team accomplishments and or individual achievements were.
No. 3 UCLA lost to No. 1 USC by a close score of 15-12 in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins had defeated the Trojans in all three matches they faced off with them this season but lost to them in the tournament.
Season Accomplishments for this past season.
*Won their first 13 games of the season.
*UCLA went 4-0 versus their opponents in the Triton Invitational which included a win over USC.
*The Bruins won their first three games of the MPSF Invitational which also included another win over USC.
*They were victorious in all four games of the Aggie Roundup.
*From September 25 to October 22, the Bruins won six straight games.