KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The UCLA women's volleyball team returned to its winning ways by earning a convincing straight-set victory over LIU behind Cheridyn Leverette's 15 kills.
Set scores were 25-12, 25-21, and 25-12.
The Bruins (3-1) achieved a team hitting percentage of .385, marking their most efficient performance since their sweep over Liberty on Sept. 8, 2023, when they posted a .402 hitting percentage.
Leverette enjoyed one of the best days of her career, recording a match-high 15 kills at a career-best hitting percentage of .500. She tallied eight kills in the first set alone, providing the momentum for the Bruins to dominate the Sharks (1-5).
Graduate setter Audrey Pak also delivered a strong performance, accumulating 34 assists and eight digs to facilitate UCLA's efficient attack.
Long Island opened the match with a quick 3-0 run, but Leverette's four consecutive kills quickly erased their lead. Graduate middle blocker Anna Dodson, who also finished in double figures, excelled in the opening set with five kills. The 2023 All-American posted season-best marks in kills (11) and hitting percentage (.556).
The Bruins hit .485 in the first set to win the frame 25-12. Junior outside hitter Grayce Olson helped lead the charge with four of her six kills coming in the opening set.
UCLA got back-to-back kills from Dodson in another fast start to the frame. It became a 10-6 lead, but LIU regained momentum and evened the score at 14-14. The Bruins returned to form when freshman outside hitter Kiki Horne put down an important kill to create separation before junior defensive specialist Katie McCarthy stepped to the service line to deal an ace for set point.
In the final set, graduate defensive specialist Kate Reilly established the momentum with a service ace on the first point. The Sharks struggled with a negative hitting percentage (-.037), enabling UCLA to secure a comfortable victory. Horne contributed significantly with four of her eight kills in the last set, leading the Bruins to a 25-12 win and a decisive sweep.
UCLA will embark on another road trip when it competes in the Fight in the Forth hosted by TCU in Fort Worth, Tex. The first match against Prairie View A&M will take place on Sept. 12 at 8 a.m. (PT) inside Schollmaier Arena.
Set scores were 25-12, 25-21, and 25-12.
The Bruins (3-1) achieved a team hitting percentage of .385, marking their most efficient performance since their sweep over Liberty on Sept. 8, 2023, when they posted a .402 hitting percentage.
Leverette enjoyed one of the best days of her career, recording a match-high 15 kills at a career-best hitting percentage of .500. She tallied eight kills in the first set alone, providing the momentum for the Bruins to dominate the Sharks (1-5).
Graduate setter Audrey Pak also delivered a strong performance, accumulating 34 assists and eight digs to facilitate UCLA's efficient attack.
Long Island opened the match with a quick 3-0 run, but Leverette's four consecutive kills quickly erased their lead. Graduate middle blocker Anna Dodson, who also finished in double figures, excelled in the opening set with five kills. The 2023 All-American posted season-best marks in kills (11) and hitting percentage (.556).
The Bruins hit .485 in the first set to win the frame 25-12. Junior outside hitter Grayce Olson helped lead the charge with four of her six kills coming in the opening set.
UCLA got back-to-back kills from Dodson in another fast start to the frame. It became a 10-6 lead, but LIU regained momentum and evened the score at 14-14. The Bruins returned to form when freshman outside hitter Kiki Horne put down an important kill to create separation before junior defensive specialist Katie McCarthy stepped to the service line to deal an ace for set point.
In the final set, graduate defensive specialist Kate Reilly established the momentum with a service ace on the first point. The Sharks struggled with a negative hitting percentage (-.037), enabling UCLA to secure a comfortable victory. Horne contributed significantly with four of her eight kills in the last set, leading the Bruins to a 25-12 win and a decisive sweep.
UCLA will embark on another road trip when it competes in the Fight in the Forth hosted by TCU in Fort Worth, Tex. The first match against Prairie View A&M will take place on Sept. 12 at 8 a.m. (PT) inside Schollmaier Arena.