UCLA snaps streak

One play here, one play there.

Every single one matters in the point-per-play game of volleyball.

It never was more evident than in the 233 minutes that comprised the 94th showdown between No. 3 Hawaii and No. 2 UCLA on Sunday. A Stan Sheriff Center crowd of 4,031 was treated to a nonconference thriller worthy of the postseason, that could have easily gone five or just as easily gone the way of the Rainbow Warriors (7-1).

Instead, the Bruins (8-1) avenged their only loss of the season via a 22-25, 25-20, 25-22, 32-30 victory, one that included 10.5 blocks that stuffed the Warriors’ perfect record. The loss snapped Hawaii’s home winning streak at 26 as well as 24 straight at home in nonconference play.

“We came close but too short,” said junior hitter Stijn van Tilburg, playing through a tweaked back to put down 13 kills. “I think we stepped up one second too late.

“We take away a lot, will learn from that humbling loss.

“Everybody did a great job from the bench. It was a long game and we gave it everything until the end.”

UCLA needed eight swings to finally end it, needing a never-give-up-on-the-ball pursuit by junior setter Micah Ma‘a with it tied at 30 in Set 4. The Punahou School product saved what appeared to be a shanked service ace from UH sophomore middle Patrick Gasman with a back bump-set that his senior opposite Christian Hessenauer put down for his match-high 20th kill.

It broke the 17th tie of the set and Hessenauer ended it with his first ace of the night, UCLA’s fifth.

“This was an amazing crowd and Set 4 was unbelievable,” said Ma‘a, the son of former Hawaii players Pono Ma‘a and Lisa Strand-Ma‘a. “I remember being a little kid in here, watching matches.

“It was amazing to come in here and leave with a win against a good team.”

Hawaii didn’t make it easy. When Warriors coach Charlie Wade pulled van Tilburg (back rest) and junior hitter Brett Rosenmeier (two kills, negative hitting), UCLA had to adjust to seeing sophomores Austin Matautia and Colton Cowell.

Then it was van Tilburg returning in Set 4 replacing sophomore Rado Parapunov, who had 18 kills but was blocked three times in Set 3. Van Tilburg moved back to opposite — a position where he was an All-American last season — and the Dutch national had six kills in Set 4, the last one to tie it at 30.

At the end of the match, there were four island prep products on the court in Matautia (Moanalua), Cowell (King Kekaulike) and senior libero Tui Tuileta (Punahou) for Hawaii, and Ma‘a for UCLA.

“We had three boys playing out there at the highest level and they played their hearts out,” Wade said. “It’s not depth unless you use it and our depth is real, it is significant. Austin and Cowell proved they can play against the No. 2 team in the country and give you a chance to win. We took arguably the best serving team in the country and neutralized them. It’s not often you can go that far down the bench and stay competitive.

“For, us I think we need to be better in the moment. A couple of plays in the third and the fourth and we win.”

Besides the play by Ma‘a that eventually led to the match-winning serve, Hawaii was poised to tie it at 19 when Ma‘a’s serve was sailing long. Instead, it hit Parapanov who was desperately trying to dive out of the way. It gave UCLA the 20-18 lead and the Warriors were unable to get closer than two the rest of the way.

Junior hitter Dylan Missry added 12 kills and senior hitter JT Hatch 11 for the Bruins.

Hawaii junior setter Joe Worsley finished with his fourth career double-double and second straight with 46 assists and 11 digs.

The Warriors had been off to their best start since opening 10-0 in 1996. That streak was ended by UCLA in five sets.

“I think it was one of the better January matches I’ve seen in a long time,” UCLA coach John Speraw said. “I think the difference at the end was our poise. Even though we hit a bunch of balls out in Set 1, our attitude was good and it allowed us to come back in the second. The whole way through, I thought we played like a mature team.

“Set 4 was a classic, a lot of great plays between two good defensive teams who played some good sideout volleyball. Obviously Micah’s play at the end was a classic. We could still be playing (a fifth). Micah does so many things for us. Not only makes athletic plays like that but it’s his leadership on the court. Hawaii should be proud of the way that man plays volleyball.”

Hawaii continues its 12-match home stand with this week’s Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger Classic. The Warriors play Lees-McCrae on Thursday, Academy United on Friday and Thompson Rivers on Saturday.