The UCLA Women’s Volleyball team completed a home-and-dfhome sweep of Long Beach State, winning in straight sets at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday night 25-21, 30-28, 25-16 one day after beating the 49ers in Long Beach in four sets. Saturday’s victory marked the first home win for first-year coach Matt Werle and improved the team’s record to 2-0.
Freshman middle blocker Brooke Harwood led the Bruins with 13 kills, hitting .500 and sophomore transfer outside hitter Ava Utterback was also in double digits with 11 kills to go along with 6 digs. Junior setter Kate Duffey ran the offense, notching a double-double with 35 assists and 12 digs. Libero Lola Schumacher led the team in the back row, getting a team-high 13 digs and adding 4 assists.
After winning the first set relatively easily, the second set proved to be a marathon. UCLA had multiple shots at set point, and finally prevailed at 30-28 after 11 ties and 4 lead changes. Coach Werle briefly inserted transfer setter Ava Sarafa to change up the momentum, and Duffey eventually returned to close out the set. In the final set, the Bruins’ relentless offensive attack and stout blocking eventually wore down Long Beach, as the home team prevailed in the final set going away. The Bruins notched 25 blocks in the match, compared to just 10 for Long Beach and outhit the visitors .232 to .148.
The Bruins next 11 matches are all on the road or at neutral sites. Their next match will be against third-ranked Kentucky in Lexington. They open Big 10 play on September 24th in Indiana and their next home match is on October 2nd against Michigan State.
Here are some photos from Saturday’s match:
Sophomore Ava Utterback shows off her athleticism in her first home match as a Bruin.
Freshman Brooke Harwood hits over the Long Beach block, including UCLA beach volleyball alumna Reagan Hope (24). Harwood matched her jersey number with 13 kills on the night.
Junior setter Kate Duffey makes a tight set at the net after chasing down an errant pass. Duffey led the team with 35 assists.
Senior middle blocker Marianna Singletary was her usual dominant self at the net, garnering 9 kills and 8 blocks.
Senior outside hitter Maggie Li had 6 kills and 10 digs
Sophomore Eliana Urzua had 8 kills and added 5 blocks at the net for the Bruins
The players on the sidelines doing some mid-match push-ups
Freshman DS/L Presley Thompson has made her way into the rotation with some outstanding back row play and solid serving
Junior all-conference libero Lola Schumacher can always be counted on to bring the excitement and spirit to the team
Long Beach’s Reagan Hope (center) was a member of the UCLA Beach Volleyball team from 2023 to 2025.
Ava Utterback was fearless with the big swings on the left side of the net.
Setter Kate Duffey gets in a joust with Long Beach’s Kyler Birkelbach
Marianna Singletary causing havoc at the net
Maggie Li and Ava Utterback celebrate a kill with a group hug
The whole team celebrates the win after completing the 3-0 sweep. Next up, Kentucky.