#2 UCLA Gets Revenge, Snaps #5 Hawaii’s 26-Home Match Win Streak; Jan. 28 Recap

Sunday may not have featured a large quantity of matches, but it sure did feature plenty of quality play. Two top 10 matches took place with another occurring with teams on the ranking bubble.

The day got started with a statement made by Ohio State in a sweep of Penn State, continued with a important result for George Mason and was capped off by UCLA ending Hawaii’s 26-home match winning streak:

#7 Ohio State Def. #9 Penn State 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-17)

• VolleyMob Recap
• #7 Ohio State 5-2; #9 Penn State 3-2
• Box Score
• Ohio State Press Release
• Penn State Press Release

The Buckeyes dominated this match in many facets as they hit a scorching .480 while holding Penn State to a .153 clip for the match. The Nittany Lions knew the top options for Ohio State, but still the top three were unstoppable. The combination of that and inefficiency from Penn State did them in as the Buckeyes look to be getting back on track – albeit after two tight losses.

(RV) George Mason Def. #20 Ball State 3-1 (23-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-22)

• (RV) George Mason 3-5; #20 Ball State 4-4
• Box Score
• George Mason Press Release
• Ball State Press Release

George Mason finally earned a win over a team above or around their level of ranking – although things won’t look so hot next week for Ball State. This was almost a ‘salvage’ match as both teams have dropped a handful of spots from their opening position. The Patriots accomplished the victory with a stronger serve and defense – although the latter was helped by the former.

#2 UCLA Def. #5 Hawaii 3-1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-22, 32-30)

• #2 UCLA 8-1; #5 Hawaii 7-1
• Box Score
• UCLA Press Release
• Hawaii Press Release

In a high-octane offensive affair, UCLA overcame an early set deficit and squeaked by in an entertaining fourth to win at Hawaii. It was a huge rebound for the Bruins who lost against the Rainbow Warriors a few nights ago, but this time the UCLA block (10.5 to three in team blocks) and offense facilitated by Micah Ma’a (46 assists, six digs, three kills, two aces, two blocks) was too much for Hawaii to overcome. Beyond avenging their loss, UCLA also snapped Hawaii’s 26-home match winning streak in the process.