Jan. 12, 2005

From UCLA Athletics

LOS ANGELES -- Top-ranked UCLA returns to campus this week after winning the 41st annual UCSB/Elephant Bar Classic over the weekend for the second straight year. The Bruins won three matches at the UCSB Classic to run their overall record to 3-0.

UCLA began the week ranked No.1 in the Volleyball Magazine poll and No.2 in the AVCA Coaches poll.

This week, UCLA hosts 2004 NAIA champion Cal Baptist in its regular season opener. The contest begins a four-match homestand for the Bruins, who open conference play on Saturday.

The Bruins meet the Lancers on Wed., Jan. 12 before entertaining MPSF foe UC Irvine on Sat., Jan. 15. Both matches begin at 7 p.m. in Pauley Pavilion. Saturday's match is High School and Club Night. For more information, call 310-206-3444. Saturday's match also will be broadcast on uclabruins.com with Lou Riggs and Mike Sondheimer calling the action.

Last weekend at the UCSB tournament, the Bruins swept UC Irvine in the first round and Long Beach State in the second round. In the championship match, they outlasted Cal State Northridge in five games.

Senior Paul Johnson slammed 32 kills (.480) and recorded 19 total blocks for the weekend while earning the tournament's MVP award. Redshirt freshman setter Gaby Acevedo was voted to the all-tournament team.

In the championship match senior Jonathan Acosta pounded 20 kills (.324) and added two total blocks and an ace. Senior Kris Kraushaar added 13 kills (.300), three aces and three total blocks, followed by Johnson's 12 kills (.318) and 10 total blocks. Acevedo recorded a career-high of 57 set assists and freshman libero Tony Ker recorded nine digs.

Cal Baptist enters Wednesday's match as the defending NAIA champion with a record of 2-0, following sweeps against UC San Diego and UC Irvine last week. The Lancers finished the 2004 season with a 24-3 record and were 12-0 against NAIA competition. Last season CBU defeated NCAA Division I opponents UC Santa Barbara, Princeton and USC as well as 2003 NCAA champion Lewis.

UC Irvine, coached by former UCLA All-American John Speraw, was 1-3 overall as the week began. The Anteaters won one of three matches at the UCSB Classic after dropping a three-game decision to Cal Baptist last week.

Following this week's matches, the Bruins will host Pepperdine on Wed., Jan. 19 and USC on Fri., Jan. 21. The USC match marks the 28th Annual Kilgour Cup. Both matches begin at 7 p.m. in Pauley Pavilion.