NCAA VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : UCLA Faces Ball State in Semifinal

The top-ranked UCLA men’s volleyball team has an old score to settle here tonight against Ball State, its semifinal opponent in the NCAA final four. Trouble is, it was vengeance that tripped up the Bruins the last time against Ball State.

Here to play in the Hall of Fame Classic tournament in early March, UCLA looked past Ball State, eager to get another crack at Penn State, which had beaten the Bruins in the NCAA title game last year. Result? Ball State knocked off the Bruins, 15-5, 15-12, 15-11. It was the only loss suffered by UCLA in 30 matches this season.

That may explain Coach Al Scates’ feelings as the Bruins seek their 15th national title.

“(Avenging) the losses to Ball State and Penn State isn’t important,” Scates said Thursday. “Winning the next two games is what’s important.”

And if they do that, the Bruins may very well have their revenge as well. Penn State will play Hawaii in the other semifinal today, the winner to meet the UCLA-Ball State winner for the title Saturday.