UCLA Women Will Play Pacific for NCAA Volleyball Title Tonight

Making it past the semifinals for the first time in three consecutive tries, UCLA’s women’s volleyball team will try to win its first national championship since 1984.

The top-ranked Bruins, who defeated Louisiana State in three games Thursday night, will face Pacific tonight at College Park, Md., in the NCAA final.

UCLA (35-1) has made 17 final four appearances in the last 20 years. Pacific (30-6), which advanced by beating No. 2-ranked Nebraska in four games, is seeking its third title since 1985.

The Bruins outlasted the Tigers in a five-game match last month.

The Bruins’ success has resulted from their ability to move the ball and to utilize the talents of several hitters. Natalie Williams, Jenny Evans and Marissa Hatchett combined for 43 kills in the Bruins’ sweep of LSU.

Pacific, on the other hand, has a spiking force in Krissy Fifer and Katy Eldridge. Fifer had 21 kills in the four-game match against Nebraska; Eldridge had 19.