VOLLEYBALL / NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS : UCLA Moves Closer to Retaining Its Title

Al Scates had the matchup he wanted and UCLA created a mismatch in a hurry.

The top-ranked Bruins jumped on an undermanned and ailing Indiana-Purdue at Ft. Wayne squad Friday night and advanced to the NCAA men’s volleyball championship game with a 15-3, 15-8, 15-4 victory at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. UCLA will play Penn State in the final tonight.

UCLA defeated Ft. Wayne twice earlier this season, but needed four games to beat the Volleydons (20-7) here in January.

It took the Bruins only minutes to set the tone this time, taking a 6-0 lead in the opening game and never letting the Volleydons challenge.

“I thought, of the three teams (in the Final Four), we would actually be more focused on IPFW than anybody else,” Scates said, citing the previous matches this year. “It was a good draw for us.”

Playing before a mostly hostile crowd of 7,227 didn’t faze the defending national champions.

“We like the crowd,” Scates said. “We like the noise. It doesn’t matter if they’re cheering for us or against us.”

UCLA attacked with a tournament-record .542 clip, including .600 efficiency in the opening game. Freshman quick hitter Paul Nihipali scored on 13 of his 16 kill attempts with no errors.

“I was really concerned about Paul. He was horrible in the warm-up,” Scates said. “He was pumped up and excited. That helped him with his hitting (in the match).”

Jeff Nygaard had 17 kills and Stein Metzger had 50 assists.

Lloy Ball, Ft. Wayne’s All-American setter, played despite a broken left index finger. He attempted only one set in the first game, but finished with 19 assists.

The Bruins--seeking their 28th consecutive victory, second consecutive title and 15th overall crown--have not played Penn State this season. The Nittany Lions (24-3) advanced by beating Ball State, 9-15, 15-7, 15-10, 15-6.

Penn State started sluggishly against Ball State (27-10) but grabbed the momentum midway through the second game and cruised from there.

“I saw a veteran club. Those hitters have been playing a long time,” Scates said of Penn State. “They’re very savvy. They look very good.”