UCLA Volleyball Tournament Will Settle No. 1 Question

Parity has come to men’s college volleyball, and nowhere will it be more evident than at UCLA, where a four-team tournament begins tonight at Pauley Pavilion.

Three of the teams--UCLA, USC and Stanford--have been ranked No. 1 nationally at one point this season, and the winner figures to emerge No. 1 in the ratings again.

“Next Tuesday you’ll see whoever wins this tournament is No. 1,” UCLA Coach Al Scates said, discounting the chances of the fourth team, No. 10 UC Santa Barbara (10-11).

Stanford (9-5) started the season as the coaches’ top pick, but the Cardinal was defeated by the Bruins Jan. 28. UCLA (19-2) maintained the top ranking until losing to No. 3 Cal State Long Beach Feb. 14. USC (19-4) became No. 1 after sweeping UCLA and Stanford in early March, but then lost to Hawaii last week, putting the Bruins back on top.

USC and Stanford are ranked second and fifth.

In tonight’s matches, UCLA plays UCSB at 5:30, then USC plays Stanford at 7:30. Saturday’s championship match starts at 7:30 p.m., after a consolation match. All matches are best of five.