UCLA vs. Hawaii: 2023 NCAA men's volleyball championship | FULL REPLAY

is it time for 20. the players know it all the fans know it and look at the close calls you're talking about in Ohio State in the semis 1816. and then the lead in the finals against Long Beach State in the fourth they should have wrapped it up then John spross said he didn't know until about last week that the players had taken the picture of them when the final ball went down in the semis last year and put it up on the bulletin board in the locker room that's been their mission all year long as to avenge that moment on the other side of the net for Hawaii this is a team that has played Like A two-time Champion you don't always see that this is the same group that won last year but they played with confidence and boys they're almost impossible to Rattle even in the face of a semi-final Challenge from Penn State who was exceptional two nights ago and pushed them to five sets they may struggle with opponents once in a while but they're never looking rattled or off balance I didn't do the Google Maps search but I think we're about 5 000 miles away from Honolulu in round figures this feels a little bit a home match 2200 Hawaii fans have made the long long Trek in some instances 14 hours with layovers to come here to watch their beloved Rainbow Warriors again the champions of the big West they tied the regular season only two losses on the year they split with Long Beach State they lost to Penn State so they Avenged that in the semifinals on Thursday UCLA split with Penn State and also the loss to uh Hawaii earlier in the year features nucleus at the outside or the opposite position is going to be a real key matchup can he get slowed down by UCLA and here's Jacob tell he's going to start out serving you'll see both Setters are deadly from the line but Attila is in the class of his own left-handed and this is a lead on the Scout airport his serve first serve for the NCAA men's volleyball championship [Applause] not a system and an awkward start right now for UCLA nucleus off the edge he said number one jacapella from the service line number two Jacob teller from the service line number three I'm repeating myself yakatella from the service line I'm sensing a pattern here well he had two aces in the match in Honolulu but was consistently putting on pressure right it's not just the aces it's not just what shows up it's what's you pass against him [Applause] that won't go down as an ace but it should he's the all-time leader career leader in Aces with 121 at the University of Hawaii the 50-year senior as you saw out of Norway and he is a physical Center he is a wonderful athlete six foot six leads the nation and assists [Applause] Paul was left a little inside but Ido David out of Israel in the six foot seven sophomore puts the ball away he's the answer at the opposite to nucleus I took a lot of smart swings back in the semifinal really an impressive performance and getting more impressive when John straw told us he was sick as a dog on Thursday night not feeling well he's feeling better keep an eye on him if this goes to a knockdown drag out four or five set match see if he fails had 17 kills on 24 swings in the semi-final win over Long Beach State by Champlin and here is David out of the back row working on Nucleus key play there as Champion a swing gets made champions in a good spot he's the champion is the engine that makes this UCLA machine go he absolutely does everything you'll see him get key swings on the outside despite being one of the smallest players on the floor for the Bruins David one of those nine first team all-americans on the floor in this Championship plays for the Israeli National Team averaging 3.6 kills per set thank you and that's going to be a net violation which will nullify a pretty nice dig by UCLA here may Voss out of Brazil in the Middle with a Kill [Applause] ER Spiro's tacos also out of Greece 6-4 Junior last year in their Championship win over Long Beach State he was the tournament's most outstanding player good block Touch by Voss I guess on the pipe and you're going to see Hawaii use the middle of the court in transition a lot more than they will inside out on that big attack that pipe attack and that not only is an important Point here early in his first set they want to get haucus going he had a rough semi-final hit below 100 so the poor offense they got a him early and put him in Rhythm the better eight out of 26 with six errors and coming right back at you guy Guinness also out of Israel with a kill for UCLA 6'5 Richard sophomore conference freshman of the year last year and going back now is Alex Knight we're in number 12 in brew and blue six foot six senior out of Culver City California [Applause] thank you six kills on 11 swings only one error against the 49ers at Long Beach State a little more middle attack no touch there that ball missed out of bounds what was wrong with the connection I think that ball came a little bit off the net and so it ended up kind of inside of boss's frame rather than out in front of him where he could get a hold of it s two best offensive teams in the country as mentioned UCLA led the way at 383 Hawaii not far behind at 370. [Applause] perfect reception one-on-one on the outside smart shot by number one Chaz Galloway Galloway out of San Diego he struggled a little bit through the first half of the year but during Big West Conference play he had over 400 and really good in reception as well smart shot and we talked about the development of the Hawaii program over the last years Jazz Galloway has been a large part of that looks so comfortable now in the entire game here is Voss first team All-American this year second team last year out of Rio De Janeiro unforced air one on each side in the middle connection a little bit of nerves Maybe save it heavy that Ball's a little low it takes usually about 10 points for your side to kind of mellow out work your way into the match and then it's just another match boss a good server for a middle blocker usually kind of a liability going with a jump float here out of system for the Bruins [Applause] couple of ball control errors back to David gonna see a steady steady diet of both opposites and UCLA excited to get out of that rotation we'll talk about the big jump serves but this straight ahead closer has given them troubles they're happy to get out of that rotation get the float server that that's straight ahead from gear May Voss off the line coach spirov UCLA spent a good bit of time this morning in their serve and passed talking about exactly that the Serve by Boston the jump float down the line and having the scout team execute down the second team hit that against the number one team Fosters Demetrius muclia 6-6 Junior out of Greece four kills percent number eight in the nation number six in the country in hitting percentage at 395. thank you only a junior but this is his last match for Hawaii's turning pro after this nice joust by Rowan to keep the Play Alive not a good set in transition by hakas unforced Air Hawaii I like the aggression though I like the aggression of That Swing so I move to this I'll take that he really excels at generating forward momentum in a very small time frame he only needs one step and he'll move forward into the ball to generate some Force Andrew Rowan an amazing story six foot six freshmen at a tribruco canyon first team All-American and he serves that ball out of bounds but John Spira had a really good Setter in miles partain and he decided to leave the team he was the mpsf conference player of the year last year and still John spiras said Rowan was so good I just had to recruit him and I said you got him you got him with your charm he said I don't care what it was but I'm awfully glad to have Andrew Rowan in a brewing uniform outstanding oh what a block [Applause] one out of the middle called Hoagland only six foot four but only needed one big hand to swap this one down I think he's got a Randy so close Fila tank top on doesn't he is that he's wearing that was an old style call brilliant block that time by Hoagland right back to him and going over the top of the block that time McHenry six foot seven red shirt Junior out of Bedford Texas and we need to notice here is the tempo a very slow tempo into the tempo into the middle blocker with McHenry it's gonna be a one of one and a half or maybe even a two with his height he struggled a little bit in the match against Long Beach State but on the year he's number one in the nation in terms of hitting efficiency here is Ethan Chapman the chaplain excuse me six foot three Junior out of Oceanside California both teams getting a lot of blocked touches nice dig by gooch Troy Goot six foot Redshirt senior wearing the white Libro Jersey out of Buffalo New York making a brilliant play here defensively nice and still perfect reaction and then that quick attack back you gotta know when to use the right weapon with a choice by wrong [Applause] Hawaii leading by only one out of system here chance for the Bruins to top David again unloading you know the early Force here on the right hand side but again it's Champlin in a good spot digs that ball up and allows the offense some Tempo to the right side another smooth delivery from Rowan UCLA doing what they did on Thursday night walking defense leading to transition points it looks really good in that combination that symbiosis between the two faces of the game at the net and defensively in the back row three-nothing run for UCLA and Champlin on the back row good combination both teams serving well but receiving even better if you want to know how far the college game has come look at the last few plays here look at the speed the tempo watch some of the footwork of the players it's no accident that you see imitation of international players because that video is available like ever before over this last generation of players they study it they embody it and you see it on the floor quickly right back at you beautiful kill on the outside by night that looked like on that back real quick combination volleyball fans that looked like a young Chiba when Brazil was just coming up with a back row quick combination look it up kids it's on uh I think it's in a tablet somewhere someone put it in the stone tablet the Chiba or Murillo yeah or read pretty that's a long time ago or Aaron Russell there you go there's current one on one that's what Jacob Taylor can do he took an average pass and created a one-on-one Advantage yeah I could tell it is a professional level Setter who happens to still be stuck in college that is just the way it is he's really he's really stuck in Hawaii but we asked why did he come back important here at the service line I'll finish that thought after this service good pass don't need again [Music] patella is in his fifth year he got a coveted year he could have turned Pro last year no question about it he would have had a lot of professional teams around the globe hitting for his services but an exceptional student and he thought that this group had a unique opportunity and they have lived out that dream to go for three in a row and he's been a huge part of it since the beginning [Applause] good ball control by both teams blocked touches off touches until there of a fake offense yeah we threw it off a little bit UCLA's block is soft touching a lot of balls right now and that ball tucked inside David has gone inside the block several times what's that about Hawaii's block three times Hawaii has to seal the net stop reaching so high push your hands over if you get off the top of your fingers he gets killed fine stop letting him hit the ball low and have success you gotta seal the net first before you worry about getting those High touches he goes over you okay fine now six of eight UCLA is a team hitting 400 Hawaii at 312 early and ewb's got a lot of work in this first set he is breathing hard even still here with a pretty significant delay remember under the weather and we asked coach peral about that and he just had a viral infection cold or flu it wasn't specific but really not feeling well oh what a dig by Champlin patrolling center field say no more what a choice by tella and Voss knew he had to make himself available oh boss does this all the time he knows that he will be found by Jacob tella if he just gets up caucus averaging 3.4 kills per set 37 Aces on the year again outstanding player most outstanding player last year's championship but really struggled the other night off the top of the block again and there's already been a substitution J.R Norris 6'5 Redshirt senior out of Lancaster California has come in for UCLA and this is a both very very talented team but UCLA probably or do they have the advantage in terms of depth and options I believe they do yeah and you can bring in Norris who is a 12-year vet here in NCAA volleyball he's hitting 582 on the year he's been in school six years he's had a really nice senior season Champlin working inside and short Brett Shure at the outstanding liberal for Hawaii out of Newport Beach number four in the green Libro Jersey would like to have that one back [Applause] CLA leading it 14-12 we will have the media time out when a team reaches 15. [Applause] [Music] up good block touch perfect reception good play by UCLA just better that time by Galloway off the outside well it's a late move from Rowan he just kept digging on that play he's a little late getting there but put his hands up nearly had a soft enough touch to generate a transition throwing the 6-6 Freshman first team All-American as mentioned Cayman is the number 15 recruit you probably should have been a little higher than that and here is keoni Tim serving specialist he's gone as fast as 76 miles per hour and UCLA will take a sigh of relief as that one drifts long here at Eagle Bank Arena on the campus of George Mason University just underway the 53rd men's NCAA volleyball championship we got a timeout here in Fairfax opening set for the championship UCLA 19 times an NCAA title holder on top of Hawaii 15 to 13. these teams have played a lot of times during the course of volleyball history March 11th we talked about that Hawaii coming out on top three to one UCLA just go out for that Outrigger tournament all the time because who doesn't want to schedule a trip to Hawaii Penn State was there they were willing to make that trip but you look at the overall series UCLA with a big lead but Hawaii has won four out of the last five meetings as Norris coming off the bench again for John spiral and UCLA we'll continue to serve couple of good three-nothing runs for the Bruins have given this them this advantage 15-13 and that one off the top of the tape possession and point go back to Hawaii for those options available to John spraw off his bench he has a couple of them you might in fact see Cooper Robinson at outside hitter you're a talented player Zach Rama sucks with 10 freshmen out of the Phoenix area had a very capable subject yeah I had a bit Rama had a very very big match coming off the bench in Honolulu in that one he was 12 of 19 at Hawaii I gave him 6 10. he probably will be he's only six eight right now Rowan will go back to serve the Bruins leading 16-14 and look at the clip they're hitting at 4 35. Hawaii not bad but 100 points behind right now nucleus just accurately down the line away that time away from Gooch talking to Josh Walker last night assistant former Hawaii player he said that this is what he's always had that straight ahead wrist away move down the line which most opposites have on the right so the thing that's made Demi really dangerous over this last year is he can not only do that but also watch him tattoo the 10-foot line over in position two he'll pull it hard cross-court great save by Champlin oh and a Better Block Hoagland along with Tilly working on Ido David both these Setters can be a presence at the net Tella along with Hoagland look at that he is absolutely in the right position he was waiting inside saw the set identified it early and got to The Hitter that's the eye sequence you gotta go Center ball hit her three nothing run now for Hawaii tied at 16. I called Jacob Telly I was thinking I was thinking about uh Tilly the Fantastic coach for friends and Rama's in the match now for UCLA so already John's bar off why not no tomorrow tomorrow they get a break but right now going to his bench with J.R Norris he's come in in the middle and Zach Rama wearing number 21 in blue for the Bruins yeah that was a blocking sub down back in he'll move back to the right front he's in the middle right now with Merrick and Alex Knight big front row look through this again down the line what kind of adjustments should the Bruins make against that really potent line shot well it's a tough one because do you pull yourself all the way to the line to try and shut that down and then you give up the cross-court I think here that's just a good swing you made not a bad move you're a little late they gave some Tempo and he hit that ball high and I'll tell you right now the best swing beats the best block every time Gooch moving way in behind the block might want to make an adjustment there [Applause] six foot five senior out of Honolulu comes in two serving Specialists come off the bench for Charlie Wade we've already seen Tim and now we're seeing Akana both have been top shelves in huge moments this season 18th error on the season for Akana free ball where is teller gonna go he takes a look night going high hands off the Hawaii block and out of bounds that one off of guillerme Boss and this is a very typical response by Hawaii down a few points middle of the set a lot of teams will kind of give up three more points and all of a sudden they're out of the set why you cannot rattle them and they are right back here level well they will really push to the Limit particularly from the service line by Penn State who had 12 Aces they just stay together good pass by Galloway [Music] [Applause] hittable Ball by Haka smart shot up into the block recycle one a little bit too to three-man block for the Bruins hakasu stuffed [Music] Hawkers had a good idea here he's trying to pull the line but he'll drop his elbow just a little bit and tries to drive it through the line but all three blockers were there you have to turn that one a little bit more [Applause] the public address announcer says that there was a timeout taken by UCLA I think that is incorrect yeah we've got a Hawaii challenge possibly on a net violation against the Bruins we have not been able to find out at least for the moment what the situation is in terms of who's challenging Rachel Jensen is the second referee Ron Pelham is the number one official net violation net violation called against the UCLA Bruins that's good work by the Hawaii coaching staff keeping an Eagle Eye at Eagle Bank Arena [Applause] yeah we'll get a better angle on it here it might be yeah there it is at the top yeah yeah yeah it was either Norris but I think it was David [Applause] well now that shot was especially smart to keep the point going [Applause] to make a call here wow they called Andrew Rowan for being a back row blocker yeah Ron Pelham I don't know about this one we'll have to take a look at it from the net cam I'm not sure location that ball from where we sit it looked like Rowan had rights to it yeah if it's in the plane whoever gets to it first and it looked like Rowan got there and you cannot block the set and that play is not reviewable and now we are going to have a UCLA time out so a nice run by the Rainbow Warriors Hawaii now leading 20 to 18. and well we've got this time out in the opening set I want to remind you about ncaa.com the home of all the Championships the 2023 NCAA beach volleyball championship taking place this weekend in Gulf Shores Alabama tomorrow at noon Eastern on ESPN the national champion will be crowned for more information go to ncaa.com your home for all 90 NCAA championships what do you think we've seen so far back and forth UCLA on a couple of runs but as you mentioned Hawaii never going to be rattled both teams have been hitting the ball at a very high level either win or lose they've been high level swings if you look at how Elite they have been since 2015 Hawaii the best team and of course four straight appearances a lot of titles UCLA is still struggling for that they're the first team since 81-84 that was the Bruins that made four straight Championship matches and the first team in 40 years looking to go back to back to back it was also the legendary UCLA Bruins of Dave Saunders Steve Sammons cart shakirai Ricky looties that won not only three in a row but ended up winning four in a row first since the title match in 1998 Here Comes Tela again John spira's biggest concern is number 10 in Black for Hawaii from the service line as well as when he's setting the ball [Applause] free ball for Hawaii didn't do much with it and that ball is out of bounds boy to me Kevin that's a big break for UCLA free ball in Hawaii didn't play it cleanly well this ball comes off the block and it's a tough pickup that ball is blocked down they just could not bring it back up I think that's a valiant effort but we're right where we all thought we'd be here in this first set balls 20 to 19. he's uh was down early they've come back UCLA now is trying to answer they have a point score at the line but no Aces so far no both teams both teams have really settled in but that ball missed out of bounds by hakis just that one from Hawaii about third of the way or two thirds of the way into the set so this has been an exhibition of teams fighting off balls and playing fairly well we haven't had a lot of Miss serves either timeout called by Hawaii tied at 20 a piece coming up tonight on ABC we'll have the Western Conference semifinals game three between the Warriors and the Lakers series tied at a game of Peace the countdown crew tips off our pre-game coverage at eight Eastern Time Lakers won the first meeting in San Francisco not in Oakland any longer for the Golden State Warriors and then step and play came flying back and made easy work of it I turned it off when they were up by 30 the other night so that's game three coming up on ABC back with Kevin Barnett two-time Olympian an All-American at Pepperdine your thoughts so far the key to beating UCLA is to keep them below 300. that's not happening right now you see this hitting 379 to 258 from uh but both teams have been a little bit streaky back and forth with blocking with tough and good off plays this is what we want to see I think the last few points are going to hinge on can somebody Crank It Up from the service line just a little bit and that may be in clean Aces but more than likely it means the opportunity to gang up on a hitter and get a soft touch for an easy return of attack in transition which team is going to spend the rest of this opening set tied at 20. in the red zone now 20 and above who's going to be out of system who can control the ball and who can take some risks successfully from the service line I know Charlie Wade felt like UCLA needed the easy points they need the aces that wasn't the case on Thursday they were transitioning balls with lethal efficiency UCLA's ball control against Long Beach State was about the best they've seen all year off the top of the tape tell us there out of system swing there's that soft touch now you got to convert missed out of bounds first eight swings Edo David with no errors now he's taken 12 swings got stuffed once and hit that ball out of bounds and now that time a break for Hawaii [Applause] David again didn't get a touch no touch detected back to back balls out of bounds timeout UCLA [Applause] Hawaii feeling a little bit more comfortable after coming out of that timeout now on top of the Bruins UCLA out of timeouts and speaking of that time out yesterday except for some brief practice for both of the teams in the finals and the University of Hawaii came a long way to our nation's capital and certainly enjoyed a beautiful day as did we yesterday at the White House and at the Capitol there on the mall one Lincoln saying hello to another and who brought the Hat caring Tim is that yours or did you find that somewhere they had them in the concession store in the capital but I just didn't go that route yeah what an opportunity for these young men to come and enjoy the nation's capital and then take a shot at a national title I like the way the schedule's set up you need a day off in between to rest and recover certainly after a five-center for Hawaii and set up for a really nice championship match it's been a good first set for UCLA they need to get inside out they get right back to that formula they had moments ago Ido David he's been a lot of the offense here in the first set he has 12 attempts next highest person is seven and that's a guy who like we said we're gonna watch in terms of what he has in the gas tank back-to-back errors I don't think you go to him again I think you go to the outside here that's gonna be nice is it too much David this is a UCLA team first in the nation in offense and very very well balanced no because he opened up hot so you keep going to him free ball for Hawaii looking for the largest lead by either team in this opening set Beck Road quick combination [Applause] transition this is where the Bic will get you both outside blockers are spread out that's a dream scenario for any Top Flight outside hitter coming out of that middle back here comes haucus that was his fourth kill on 12 swings after struggling on Thursday night had some issues with a calf and good side out J.R Norris and delivery that time from Rowan UCLA needs two here they got to tie it at 23. I don't think they have any choice Hawaii is not a team that's going to get to 24 and then give you a few back that is not going to happen you got to score two right now here is Alex Knight 15 Aces on the year but right now just looking for pressure got to get tele off the net look at that set in transition [Applause] football set badly that time by guillerme boss really good serve to start things off by Night number 12 in blue timeouts being used here in the first step while we had a technical plus two for each coach timeout called by Hawaii now they are out of timeouts let's take a look at the Capital One Cup standings update as teams compete for a combined 500 thousand dollar scholarship donation from Capital One on the men's side Connecticut after winning their National Basketball Championship they are number two to Georgia South Dakota State Syracuse and on the other side Texas won the women's NCAA volleyball championships LSU won the Women's Basketball Championships and UCLA the number one seed on the beach they will be in the semifinals tomorrow excuse me the semifinals are concluded today but we're a little busy I will check on my computer in between the first and second set [Music] again 2200 loyal Rainbow Warrior fans made the Trek from the islands here to near our nation's capital Washington DC was a a short train ride away for us when we had a chance to go into DC on an absolutely beautiful spring day the Phantom that's built built in Hawaii is a unique thing on the men's side this is kind of the second Peak for that program in terms of excitement in the community one blocking Subs comes in for UCLA 23-22 and you mentioned when Hawaii beat UCLA back in March in Honolulu two of the sets went to overtime it was very very close so there's no surpriseinski is into block so Andrew Rowan has come off watch to see who sets in transition they may not need it brilliant serve Again by Night netball is going to fall tied at 23. [Applause] and I love the serve from knife we've talked a lot about serving over this weekend with coaches at different events as well as you and I Paul we talked about what you need to do when your team is scoring points and you need another the end of a set like that what did Cole do he chopped into a spot he hit a very good serve to a tough area and it resulted in a point for his side he's got to do the same thing here you can't miss it doesn't need to be 100 miles an hour it has to be something 60 miles an hour to your spot there's plenty of space in front of Galloway you could cut the ball straight ahead right now if that's in the toolbox so 60 miles an hour is taking taking something off night again took a lot off of that one good pass by hawkis all right UCLA would like to have that one back they really did a good job of getting some hands on Nucleus but couldn't follow up you did the work necessary now just side out they get back to working if you're UCLA for Hawaii we want to close right now this is going to be that straight ahead float serve Champlin stepped all the way up to the 10-foot line see if this gives them trouble that he gets it Pooch there the libero as well the transfer from Purdue Fort Wayne been really good for UCLA Gooch with a perfect pass and down the pass was pure tied at 24. so one set point saved by the Bruins I'm not going to mess around if I'm yakimtella I'm going to nucleus on the right side Hoagland in the middle he has a good option there's three good options here offensively but I'm still choosing a new place good pass by hawkis [Applause] twice to the middle by teller yeah good footwork way to follow the ball by Hogan on that second attack it spun him around he just kept digging into that three ball program number seven six four Junior out of Waimanalo and again both Setters taking some risks going to the middle Merrick McHenry getting the job done we talked about matchups McHenry versus 6-4 Holden he's gonna have to jump if he's gonna get there watch the height of this ball that doesn't matter if you jump all you want you're not going to get them some of those balls from number 13. McHenry came in as an opposite has changed to the middle and adopted it very very comfortably [Applause] good passing by Hawaii nucleus missed it out of bounds down the line again [Applause] both teams out of timeouts UCLA now with their first set point the nucleus telling Telly give me the ball again give me the ball he did it twice when he caught the eye of Jacob Tella he just called for it again good serving by Rowan really good passing perfect reception back row quick combination that's been golden so far for Hawaii very difficult to defend and they've used it quite a bit in this first set more so than Thursday evening okay what Hawkeyes has been Nails passing so far number 23 in Black big role while he's on the floor for Hawaii among others David off the edge and out of bounds got off to a very fast start he was six out of his first eight now he's eight out of 13. UCLA as a team hit 343 Hawaii 282 and that delivered from from Setter Andrew Rowan was absolute money he's fading back to the right-hand side of the Court he shot it on a line still in Tempo but from about 50 percent further than it would normally travel second set point for UCLA Hawaii has had two set points there is Champlin been relatively quiet so far but really really a good player Top Flight very very studious as John Spira describes and that one might have been out free ball for UCLA [Applause] once twice David Edo David from the outside opening set goes to UCLA [Music] I played four sets before the margin of victory was plus three it is no surprise to see them play their third overtime set of the year that's the first set that Hawaii has lost in the championship match in three years the Bruins and Ito Devi take the opener full day here in Fairfax Virginia welcome back to Eagle Bank Arena we're about 20 minutes 25 miles from beautiful nation's capital and in overtime UCLA takes the opening set on the big right arm of Ido David with nine kills Barney you asked me Paul should you set somebody else or said less of your opposite when he's off to a good start no you keep feeding him the ball it is not a complicated game to be honest he hit 400 with those Nine Kills and sometimes it's just about giving the guy the ball as long as he's hot if he goes for 27 kills and hits 400 or 450 or 350 over the course of this match and you win 3-0 yeah keep setting your guy who's hot if that happens being outside hitter give it to him look at the numbers through the first set 368 from UCLA that's right on the nose for them to have success Hawaii not far to go obviously only a couple of points I think the number that stands out for both teams in my mind is one ace a piece just one ace a piece if somebody can break into that a little bit here in the second set they will win it and a total of five errors between the two teams and there's an ace right away by J.R knowers the four one of the numbers that also jumped out at me in the opening set Hawaii is a magnificent offensive team as are both of these but they only sided out at 59 that's a low number for them right you want that to be up around 70 to be really dominating you know Norris and Merrick Henry both have been opposite hitters at times that's what makes them dangerous from the line the development there keeps you dangerous from the service line well John Spira speaking of Norris earlier today said you know he probably should be a starter he was earlier exactly and played a lot of volleyball as evidenced by his efficiency 1.4 kills hitting 582 but but I know I've got him to come off the bench and uh importantly now in that role has gotten to help the Bruins to a one set To None lead here's Tella overpass that is a ball handling a rare ball handling Mistake by Hawaii and Galloway one of the things that also when we looked at that match summary so far UCLA the number one blocking team in the country okay they don't have any stuffs but they touched a lot of balls really a lot thank you David's an interesting story shared the opposite spot or played behind Kevin cobrine last year who transferred to USC and now this spot is certainly his and his alone and for that he was the first team All-American two critical things happen for John sprawl this year and Dan friend on the viral volley podcast pointed out head coach at Lewis University he said the subtraction was big for UCLA and that was both before the season as David Goes long there with Kevin Coburg transferred as you just mentioned and then he hadn't played ew there was no debate Kevin's a terrific player he's come back and forth John Sprout who do I put in there and it's the setting position at the setting position mid-season who did they lose miles part-time miles partain and so then it just goes to Andrew Rowan he's 100 in there and he responded by becoming one of the top players in the conference if not the best Setter in the nation were it not for the guy across the network tonight right you talked about when we first came on the air you mentioned it the first time about uh Rowan being The Heir Apparent not just at UCLA he's gonna have a good career there but maybe The Heir Apparent for the United States going forward might be just in time for Micah Christensen who's had an incredible International career to Mentor him for a couple of years and then start and play he won the u21 gold medal and was best Setter just last summer yeah fast track for that kid back real quick combination very very difficult why I'd like to spend a lot more time in system whether it be in transition or in first ball receive wide open net yeah and that's been the case and so we talked about riding the opposite on the Hawaii or the uh department on the UCLA side on Hawaii side that keeps working set it more set it more hawk is having a nice opening to this championship match I'll give you his numbers in just a moment [Music] Champlin smartly off the edge of the block and down but back to Haka six kills on 14 swings mucus who is clearly their go-to another first team All-American there are nine of them he's only five of 15 with two errors hitting 200. here's McHenry got kind of an unusual hybrid serve but can be very very dangerous UCLA misses on average 5.2 serves per set they've been very clean so far nice play by Hoagland out of the middle more middle tonight than we saw in the semifinals from Hawaii well they have been destabilized in the exact same way that Penn State destabilize them basically Penn State came in here in Hawaii Hawaii's a team is usually the aggressor from the line and Penn State was on fire but most Aces Hawaii had given up all year was seven they gave up 12. I think you have seven to one player alone Penn State was really good they were down two sets To None one the third and fourth and then Hawaii got stable again and then won the fifth set 15-10 over the Nittany Lions yeah I saw some of the Disneyland Staff last night and I told him I said listen only one team's season ends the way they want it right but your season can end with you playing your top volleyball hey that's what happened with Penn State Brett Wildman played maybe his best batch of the year when it counted seven Aces there's a radar gun we'll see what kind of speed Rowan is putting up fim the fastest server that the backup the serving that was 67 miles per hour and missed that time by number seven Andrew Rowan you know we talked about bartain deciding to leave the UCLA program and go play on the beach but he was the conference player of the year last year as a reminder and led UCLA to the National semifinals before they narrowly and I do mean narrowly lost in the semis last year to Long Beach State that's a really good combination boy that is a brilliant Gap set that had to cover about two-thirds of the net and they like to run these little drift rounds this is a straight three here no drifting about it but he's gonna come from the outside rather than the inside so it's a little bit of a wrinkle on the three in that he's going to be outside to the left rather than inside to the right for that ball Norris is a perfect four for four Tellez in the front court so he contacted that ball legally smart shot really nice work by Night number 12. volleyball is all about the next contact can you clean up the contact before or can you take full advantage here it's a cleanup that's a little too fast for that play I like that ball to be hung up a little bit because by going fast you're fooling No One by simply going fast right in front of you two blockers are there put the ball high give your hitter a chance to elevate and hit through the top of the blocker over it here's Ethan Champlin All-American again four for seven so far hitting 571. a little more heat on that serve but missed it out of bounds as far as the serving store from story from Aces and errors one ace for Hawaii two errors that's the sixth service air make it seven for UCLA against two errors as Hoagland will go back to serve that the speed thing for just a second Paul I think everyone thinks Pace gets you kills and the offense has to be faster listen enough Pace to maximize your hitters height of attack that's the real answer watch Hawaii they don't set the fastest offense they said the offense is best for the talents of their hitters however by Gooch back to David tattoos one down the line David now in double figures 10 kills on 18 swings and if you're John sprawl you like this swing ramito David because this is the one he missed two of in that first set the little inside out down the line he bought two of them that was the way Hawaii got up in the latter part of that first set you'd like your guy who's on fire to get right back to having that as an option as well UCLA won the opening set 28-26 here in the second on top by one boy Norris is having an impact in a couple of phases Knight down the line one-on-one brilliant Choice by Rowan [Applause] not all set up as you mentioned by J.R Norris who had an ace in his first turn at the service line and darn near got one there I like the long set you know why because gear May boss told me last night he was going to front Merrick McHenry he's going to front him so the long set is good as soon as you see that if you're Andrew Rowan you should go long all the time whenever you get pushed out of that setting Zone well you mentioned that point about McHenry against Hoagland but also guillerme boss against McHenry you got to basically commit if you want to get a hand on his attack no you don't because it's slow that's what I asked here my boss he said I said are you going to commit it all he said I don't have to the ball is interesting what I'm going to do is front and you see that but when you front as soon as you spread yourself to one side of the floor it is a long way to that other pin good pass by Champlin right there he got us off touch that's what he needs but not enough that was a really really good block touch there in the middle like guillermabaugh six foot seven Junior out of Rio De Janeiro he's wearing number 21 in Black for Hawaii Hawaii 29 and two on the year they were nine and one co-champions with Long Beach State the Midwest conference UCLA at 30 and two they won the mpsf for the first time since 2006 behind National Coach of the Year John spiral I haven't mentioned that Jacob tella was the avca national Player of the Year and Ito David another race for UCLA [Applause] who's dialing up the service pressure in his second set thus far as the Bruins who has the lead the Bruins by three UCLA coming into this championship match 212 Aces on the year so only 110 for their opponents they were number three in the nation in Aces per sec largest lead of the second so far for the Bruins [Music] [Applause] covered by Galloway another opportunity and that's going to be a net violation break for Hawaii missed opportunity for UCLA now balls definitely passed too tight if you're Andrew Rowan the thought process is should I dump it here everybody thinks I'm going to dump it throw it outside I like him sitting in that situation I think a lot of Setters would go for the dump and get stuffed and right in front of him will scare me boss [Applause] David again got a touch off the Hawaii block side out and score for David with impress me with David on Thursday night were the number of smart swings he took I mean the numbers were great fine there were three or four balls where He adjusted to a tough situation took a smart swing either putting some flat spin on it or hitting it off the edge of the block there another smart swing not an over-the-top swing the ball was a little bit lower than Prime and he put it flat to the rear point you mentioned the semifinal the three sets To None win over Long Beach State he was 17 of 24. with just two hitting errors yeah you generally don't get those numbers without some good choices he's not can't be all power and he according to John spiral was really under the weather what was that it was it was the Norwegian backhanded waffle flipper yeah this this was inside out the movie way back in the day here you go I think that one was that the winning set I used to play a little ball back in Milwaukee Paul acapella I think well we'll have the discussion here is Tim and goes for him off speed perfect pass McHenry unloading on the Slick the slow click watch this this is a drift route watch mchenry's takeoff Point here he's going to take off and drift a little bit to his left a lot of that would normally be straight ahead near the center but they are doing drift routes they'll jump at one point jump out jump at one point jump back towards the center makes it more difficult for the blockers to read and certainly at the height of McHenry almost impossible look at that pass by Seward one on one and killed from the right side by muclius another good delivery jacapella we saw some of his magic his body of work the two championships the national player of the year is he the best Setter in college volleyball in the last 20 years and who would be the Challenger to that Mike and Chris is going to be the challenge if you got to take out the results because he wasn't fortunate enough to play with such a talented Squad like Hawaii [Applause] nearly a footfall very very close first back row quick combination by UCLA the bit going tonight [Music] yeah Jacob tella is as good as any I have ever seen package right he's a weapon from the service line his ability to locate the ball his ability to feel the game is next level watch him the longer those rallies go the more likely he is to make a set where nobody or one blocker are up oh and matching teller right now from the service line UCLA best blocking team in the country starting to get some work they can't do that yeah back row attack Stewart set the ball from inside the three meter line we'll step aside we've come to the media timeout the Bruins up one set to none and leading by four in the second set UCL F 1-0 and a four-point lead largest of the match for either side and it comes on this last play a technical play Swing by Chaz Galloway a block and a quick bang play Richard sets it with two hands that's an overhand you can't then attack the ball above the level of the net so the moment that swing gets taken that is a point for the Bruins Hattie bump said it right no problem had you set it over no problem but you can't attack above the level tonight and sure it was yelling at Jacob tella no don't don't hit it he knew immediately by just by the mechanics that teller was going to take a rip we had one of those on Thursday too which is kind of weird you don't see that that often it's not a common call players do a good job of interpreting those situations Galloway is roofed by David [Applause] I don't think he can do the positioning better than UW just did there got his feet to the ball and pressed over watch how far over he is oh he's actually you know what he's he's kind of fading out there I take it back I thought he was there from our angle the first block of the match for UCLA here is Roland and the first swing offensively patella who averages just about six tenths of a kill per set he's a really really available and potent weapon making it six hitters on the floor for Hawaii make it five [Applause] [Applause] all right the prescription for Hawaii here is obviously you have to keep siding out but you're getting to the danger zone of this second set you have to serve in so you start serving your spots and you have to be winning first ball transition for a kill for a point tight pass shove opportunity for the Bruins to David and he missed it out of bounds that ball looked like it was touched in the back row to me I agree with the Bruins here I think it touched someone on that flat shot from David that was not a good set to the right side we're gonna have our Second Challenge of the match Hawaii challenged a net violation and that challenge was upheld you start the match with two challenges and as long as you are correct you have an unlimited number it's a really good rule change from when they first instituted the challenge system when you had three but once you used it it was done well UCLA is making the case that number 23 Spiros haucus touched this ball on his head perhaps I I didn't I thought it might have gotten some of the back row from our ankle but that's not even close no no that didn't touch anything yeah I agree with you Barney the Barn eye strikes again yeah it was terrible in live action it was terrible I think there's there's no touch so if it is determined it was called out of bounds and if the call stands then UCLA will only have one challenge remaining unless we go to a fifth set when each team gets an additional challenge but if you have two you don't get three you just have as as many as two into the fifth set 53rd men's NCAA Championship UCLA has won more than any other program in history with 19. they won six out of the first seven they won 12 out of the first 14. Al skates 50 years on the sidelines for UCLA retired in 2012. UCLA has not won a national championship since 2006 which for Bruins in men's volleyball the Bruins and men's volleyball is an absolute lifetime they're aware of it and of course their coach John Spira a very distinguished alumna alumni won a championship as an undersized middle blocker and was he ever yeah that call Will Stand a six foot two middle blocker John spiral won a national championship also won a national championship as an assistant coach for Al skates and want to send the best out to the other our best to the other wizard of Westwood Al skates Al the greatest of all time and I know you're enjoying this match I hope you are so far so good for your Bruins oh no he's definitely watching this match 17-13 in the opening set boy UCLA is passing the ball very well side out numbers before that particular reception UCLA signing out at 72 percent Hawaii at 62 that is a big big Advantage for the Bruins 70 plus percent generally wins you sets and wins new matches you're really putting Hawaii to a choice here do you do as I said serve the ball in but the Bruins are passing exceptionally well which puts you at a huge disadvantage or do you just crank it up and go For Broke Down five as UCLA nears 20. Coleman McDonough nice block second block of the set tonight got that one Coleman McDonough 5-11 freshman out of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania on as a serving specialist uh this is awareness here look at how far Knight is tucked in there that is well done cheating all the way over to the center knowing that tele is a weapon and likes to swing feeling comfortable that they can get back to the D if necessary that is a really nice recognition by The Brew and block UCLA leading 19-13 timeout called by Hawaii you gotta love this rivalry here's tomorrow's Sunday Night Baseball matchup the series finale between the Dodgers and the Padres at Petco Park 7 Eastern 4 Pacific on ESPN ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio our coverage begins at 6 Eastern 3 Pacific with baseball tonight a Sunday night countdown back with Kevin Barnett I'm Paul Sunderland we are at eaglebank Arena in Fairfax Virginia on the beautiful wooded campus we drove around a little bit we've been we've been busy the last 72 hours coming to practices and whatnot and this is a beautiful beautiful campus and University George Mason University Paul we address briefly the UCLA block position on that last play and I love when a team takes a chance I love when they push in watch now you're number 12. he stays way over to his right hand side in front of tele he's past the halfway mark If This Were inside Paulie Pavilion he'd be inside the circle he's daring Hawaii to set overhead to nucleus it's not going to be that hard or that quick of an attack so watch and see this time if they execute the same thing if he tucks right in next to Merrick McHenry number 13 there he's talking to him I'll bet he stays in pretty tight once again and McDonough once again and this is that one into the top of the tape so number 23 we'll head to the sidelines I love it when teams take chances put pressure on people and dare someone to set something that the other team thinks isn't as good as some of the other options that are available on the floor there needs to be more of that so far the Bruins have done an exceptional job against the serving Talent of Jacob tella but now is the time for the national Player of the Year there you go right on cue tella had a tremendous serving performance back in March when the Rainbow Warriors beat the Bruins in Honolulu we said that he's maybe as good as Micah Christensen once was Micah said about this moment this is my moment I control the whole thing it's the only closed chain skill in the whole game it's the only time you initiate and conclude the action got to convert this right now nucleus Good Touch by the Bruins but that ball is going to fall when you talked about Micah of course I knew you were alluding to Christensen but I thought you were going to go with another left-handed server Micah Hancock probably the best server in the history of women's volleyball College professional or otherwise yes the most lethal of lethal Lefty servers timeout now is called by UCLA after leading by six they've cut that in half Charlie Wade very composed here and why not he's got a tremendous lineup in the last two years Barney his team has swept BYU in Columbus we were of course there for that one as well and then last year swept Long Beach State this is a wonderful group right but when you say group it's the group from last year that's here this year yes two years ago was a completely different group Pat gasman in the middle there a totally different composition to that team remember Ronald panopuno Ronald parapunov was playing office in the Bulgarian and then last year it was basically this group we're seeing now putting their stamp on a brand of Hawaii volleyball to come up with the championship Victory and what I was surprised to see was a three-set victory it was an extremely impressive performance from Hawaii and they have answered any possible critics of was that that Victory the way that victory was had how easily that was had a fluke no they have dominated this season last year against Long Beach State 25-22 25-21 25-20 at Poly Pavilion second championship for Charlie Wade told us a great story about how he began his career at Hawaii he was a limited earnings coach sleeping on the couch of Hall of Famer Dave Shoji the coach of the women's team he went there and slept on a couch got paid eight thousand dollars for four months and stayed for 11 years I hope he got a raise somewhere along the way it was a rough decade Paul it's all paid off and then he went on to coach at the University of the Pacific and then back to Hawaii and now has led this team to two straight national championships Hawaii on a four nothing run with Jacob Tella John spira's biggest concern for Hawaii still at the line and missed that one but he did work he keyed a four-nothing run I know it's a three-point Advantage but it was six when he went back to the service line hey that's all right you did some work look 20 to 17 you're in a good spot I'm I'm good with where Hawaii's at right now steady side out you're in you have your Center in the back row you're gonna have three hitters for three rotations here scored two per rotation you're right back at it at 22. David working on another big match back-to-back service errors one of the numbers Barney that I'm sure Charlie Wade and the Hawaii players will look at they're hitting 188 here in the second set I'm not going to look at it right now I don't care about the next swing okay that's 200 points that's 200 points below their season average you're gonna be like a cornerback man set me credit to the Bruins blocking defense David again now with a dozen kills on 22 swings so David earlier brought back that line swing right he turned it inside out he hit it with pace and depth to the line this time he hits Cross Court but he doesn't bring the ball down he hits it high into that angle and catches the middle blocker and gets that ball to go well out of bounds both outside hitters night seven of 15 having a nice match Champlin four of eight no errors for the outside attackers of UCLA and another race what was gonna matter in this second set right if all you want to know serving and UCLA has been the team winning that battle time out called by Hawaii the Bruins led by eight Hawaii work their way into that but now with the time out the Bruins on top 22 to 18. coming up tonight on ABC we'll have the Western Conference semifinals game three between the Warriors and the Lakers with a series tied at one game a piece the countdown crew tips off our pre-game coverage at eight Eastern Time for UCLA is it time for number 20. the wait has been long and very very painful they have had a number of very close calls particularly in the last several years starting in 2016 against Ohio State in the semifinals again still looking for number 20 they lose in the semis to eventual national champions from Ohio State 18 16 in the fifth then they lose to Long Beach State in the finals also in the fifth set after they LED big in the fourth and then last year there it is trying to get to 20 and then last year they lost in the semis in 2022 16-14 in the fifth set last year heard for the players up 2-0 couldn't close it out losing that way Johnson he doesn't think about that one he thinks about the one in 2018 where there are matches you could have won in my opinion UCLA should have won that match and Kudos The Long Beach State for what they did to come back but when you're up three or four over 20 and you're up 2-1 you're about to go on to the national title you got to close that one out Cooper Robinson checks in for UCLA he's coming in doing a little extra blocking in the front row an exceptional outside hitter out of Southern California Robinson wearing number 11 in blue six foot seven red shirt freshman at a Pacific Palisades Demetrius nucleus UCLA has done a really good job on him so far I'll give you his numbers and that serve is missed by night but UCLA still with some separation at 22-19 nucleus is just seven of 20 with three errors hitting 250 way way below his season average it's a remarkable 395 with all the tough swings number 11 in Black takes on the season here comes the float serve from boss he's missed a couple of times got to go straight ahead remember John at 11 feet Jonesboro said that we asked him about matchups and usually that means hitters blockers but he was thinking more about matching up against servers oh what a block by Hoagland again [Applause] already seen a couple of Big Blocks From Hogan I think teams underestimate him because he is a little undersized look how high he gets up I mean he is way up and over the net as well nice blocking form from number seven has dual citizenship with Japan and will play in the J League next year back to McHenry another good block touch UCLA got to have it nucleus beside the blocking down hey look who's back in the gym the two-time Champs have returned this is what they do right generate a little bit of a decent opportunity and then you come back and convert first ball transition Point scoring opportunity this is what Dimitri nucleus has added to his capability is that cross court shot the ability to go inside even a three-man block is something he did not have a couple of years ago Charlie Wade so complimentary of the work that dimi has done in the weight room and he may say that dude is skinny yeah but that dude is strong and that dude is ripped I talked to Demi before big West they said this is this what your dad looked like at this age is this just what you guys are he goes yeah absolutely goes my dad's a little heavier right now but this is absolutely my genetics he said it's just the way I am but he has gotten a lot stronger over his college career and shows on a swing like that Hawaii on a three-nothing run and when you go back to the service turn of Jacob tella an 8-3 run to get Hawaii back within one at 22-21 thanks for joining us here on ESPN the 53rd men's NCAA volleyball championship Hawaii at 29-2 taking on UCLA at 30 and two it went chalk the number one seed UCLA taking on Hawaii the number two seed UCLA fought off two set points to win the opening set 28-26 Edo David has been the offensive star so far for UCLA 12 kills on 22 swings but when you look at Gooch Knight and Champlin what they're doing in reception is leading the way for UCLA a big Advantage Inside Out efficiency and they've only given up one ace in each of the first two sets here Gooch as mentioned one on one in between Champlin number 20 in blue with a swing [Applause] Andrew Rowan did a Next Level thing here for a freshman even at the center position I've always passed he took a real good look at the Hawaii side before he set that ball he is as impressive a freshman at the setting position as I can ever remember seeing some equals but he is right there with the best of smart play Big Time play Push into the block and out of bounds effective with nucleus out of the back row either in point scoring or inside out if they lose this particular play here nucleus now back over 300 with a couple of back-to-back kills nine of 22. the lead is one off speed pretty good first touch David out of the back row but out about smart serving putting your opponent off balance without having to bury it he's a champion with a good move but that is a difficult pass keyed by Demetrius mucus [Applause] I'd cut it again a little further I'd cut it in front of a little Barrel the lead was 19-13 both teams are out of timeouts blocked Touch by teller that's all good [Applause] go Nutella with another block touch [Applause] Hugh Maximus are you not entertained that was Next Level yeah the Dig by Gooch the Dig by Knight the scrappy play never to be outdone Hawaii just an absolute wonderful response boy their backs were completely against the wall down one set To None down 19-13 now they have a set point remarkable turnaround [Music] [Applause] ball was set too low chance for UCLA David misplayed it [Applause] swing what a swing you're breaking my arm oh man breaking my neck coming overhead from an offsetter and you put it to the corner with Chris contact he's the Champlin who've been soft touch about five times in a row you cannot do it better than that in that moment for the set tied at 24. magnificent play by both teams in the second half of this second stanza yeah how about the Dig off the tournament how many balls did Jacob tella soft touch when he was blocking at the net for Hawaii we told you got the two best teams the last few pointsinski up front to block [Applause] somebody on the Bruins side touched that ball until his hands but it still didn't matter what a delivery by the national Player of the Year number 10 in Black [Applause] uh interesting way here they're going to leave Cole in the match second set point for the Rainbow Warriors and I do mean Warriors as Galloway tried to cut that one off in front of the ruined Defenders and missed it short fifth service error for Hawaii yeah I think UCLA here Paul I think they might be out of Subs well remember they used McDonough as a serving sub so they well could be Gooch with another dig [Applause] the blocking down yeah six Subs in men's college volleyball unlike the women's game with their 15 so I think you're right Kevin yeah good call I think John Spira rolled the Dyson is out of substitutions yeah so he has trapped his to this point leading offensive attacker on the bench to end this second set and mookley is getting hot again just when Hawaii needed it Hoagland has been superb a couple of big stuff blocks really holding his own good pass by night okay Alex Knight having a whale of a match eight kills on 17 swings no errors defending passing serving and blocking yeah and I think 90 of players take that ball into the angle get soft touched again he turned that ball down the line that is excellent recognition by night and guess what we're overtime again why not why not tied at 26. and Norris misses out of bounds that toss was too low fourth set point nope he's back we had this we don't have a count of the subs over here I'll tell you that right now unless we keep track by hand it's not hitting the stats thank you as to how many Subs have been used well maybe David who was really under the weather on Thursday night just needed a little bit of a blow that is they're out of Subs now we're being told officially at the scorers table out of the middle to McHenry number 13. and the Bruins get past the serving rotation of Jacob tella remember he's the one that keyed the comeback for Hawaii and I love that both teams are not afraid to use all of their weapons at a key Moment Like This it shows you where they are offensively in their confidence and their ability to run their offense both have had middles have huge kills here Hoagland on one side and that time Merrick [Applause] nucleus in row one that is a bad dig that is not a bad dig got to keep the ball on your side and that ball off the block and out of bounds boss Jacob teller after 1913 has taken his team to a completely different level in a couple of phases oh man you love this if you're a volleyball fan you love this and you're in this match you love the level that this is being played on fifth set point now for Spiros haucus get that pass and the ball Falls what a brilliant reception by number 12 Knight on a rocket down the line from Hawaii foreign just how large is the wingspan of Merrick McHenry uh large enough that is that is quite the reach with the left hand McHenry now with seven kills on 11 swings tied again [Applause] three kills in a row after a tough start Now set point number one for UCLA Hawaii has had five and a lot of times when it reverses like this it ends now yep for a lot of teams this is what happens Galloway on the left guillerme boss in the middle nucleus on the right side two really good and Really Brave setters hey this is The Rumble in the Jungle right here this is two heavyweight Fighters ready to go as many rounds as need be we could see the equivalent of five sets in far less than five seconds exactly exactly I I never predict how many sets I just want it like this very close Duffy man has he got a heavy arm look at the Choice by Rowan fake the bat quick to freed up free up David and I love the pace too what a delivery from Rome we've seen a lot of them look at the contact the way he just flicks it back over the top of his head that's very difficult for Galloway overloaded does he help on the back quick or does he get outside to that fast d ude set point number two now for McHenry Wicked serve and Galloway is able to slam dunk that ball from about 11 feet 8 inches down inside the Bruin block break for Hawaii it says Galloway I think he jumps about 45 in all in all reality an absolute high flyer had a really nice conversation with Chaz Galloway yesterday 6-3 Junior out of San Diego very very talented Bright Young Man yeah great family too you know he uh he's not the only high flyer in the family his sister flies helicopters for the Air Force but what's her vertical about thirty thousand Champlin is stuffed block number four for Hawaii [Applause] and it's hogling again yes combination right hand a Hoagland left of tele set point number seven [Applause] fantastic pass by Gooch just a fantastic pass under pressure [Applause] I mean volleyball you're welcome right now with these two teams my goodness [Applause] seven set points saved by the Bruins [Music] combination look at this passing I mean these these players are serving rockets at one another and guys are just just grooving the ball right on target in system set point 32-31 set point number eight UCLA pass number four I'd serve straight ahead Champlin off the top Galloway all right Hawaii for the set [Applause] down 19-13 Hawaii the two-time defending champs got off the deck led by the national Player of the Year jacoptella 33-31 we're tied at a set of peace both the first opening two sets in overtime and for Hawaii down 1913 came storming back eight set points UCLA fought off and finally Hawaii wins it back with Kevin Barnett we were talking during the commercial that is one of the best sets of college volleyball I have ever seen oh that's the best set I've ever seen in the final that that set was Next Level from play forget the fact that it's a deuce set right it's overtime all the saves the level of play in The Middle on the outside but digs oh you could make a highlight reel just out of the last 15 points that's the best set of unbelievable I've seen him probably 10 years at any level and the circumstances make it so much bigger now heading into what now is a best of three right one one I don't think anyone has momentum yes Hawaii wins that but if you look at Chaz Galloway his teammates came rushing out to the floor after that play and his look was one of exhaustion he's in the middle of a heavyweight title fight here and no one has the advantage we are set 0-0 for best of three right now yeah but what's got to be going through UCLA's mind up 19-13 and look they let I know you can't right but it's human beings it's young athletes they were up 1913. they know they should have won that set but give all credit to Hawaii and yakimtella got it started and then they start the third set with a block on the outside with Voss and nucleus yeah tell a lit the fuse right but it's nucleus who put away a couple of key balls it's a couple of Big Blocks it's Cole Hoagland yes with a number of good moves as well as offensive side outs that was a total team effort to come back in that second set the digs and the choices yep by Jacob tella and missed out one out of bounds just underway here in the third set if you're just joining us there'll be more there'll be more trust me 2826 UCLA 33-31 Hawaii in the second the leading scorer Championship so far with 13 kills to go along with five digs and a block [Applause] and that ball is served out of bounds Spiros talk us last year the most outstanding player in the championship match won Hawaii fellow member of the big West three sets to none at Paulie Pavilion [Applause] David smashing down the line he's dialed that line in I like the pace I like the location both outside of the block down the line but also within about three foot of the end of the net or at the end of the court with a ton of heat only a sophomore at six foot seven out of Israel Alex Knight is having a superb match we talked and he made one of the best digs so far of the night to keep the ball off the floor on a rip by nucleus he's eight of 17 hitting 471. got two service Aces to go along with three digs on a block foreign Galloway basically by himself another high-flying Kill from Galloway I got an update for folks who are texting me right now uh Cambria Galloway 30-inch vert on the women's side okay playing at Air Force all right I was curious yeah helicopter pilot Air Force Academy very very talented and proud family David again one on one both Setters are doing such a good job again Andrew Rowan only a freshman out of tremuco Hills first team All-American that's what the other coaches and people on the selection committee thought of this six foot six freshman took over the starting setting duties when miles partain stepped away from the Bruin team in January Four Freshmen have led their team to a national championship it's been done before but it happens very very rarely who's the last one the last one was Jonathan Winder in 2005 arch kirai in 1979 chip McCaw in 1992 and Ricky looties in 1981. so it's just Bruins and waves well the Bruins won 12 out of the first 14 and have 19. so they have done their share but is it time for 20. that's the big question for UCLA and UCLA volleyball fans they know the history of this story program dominated the early years of this championship Rowan will go back to serve trying to add his name to that very distinguished list three of the four players on that list went on to be Olympians [Applause] a lot of energy expended at the end of that session and showing up here early in the Third Kind of a slow start coaches hate this but I think it's almost inevitable Hawaii really upped their offensive efficiency over about 15 in that overtime set they were siding out at 62 percent they finished the set at 71. Hoagland again just tucked inside Hoagland and we said they don't get rattled right Hawaii doesn't get round you can put pressure on you can score points on them but they're not just going to kind of Wilt away and they show that in that set it was kind of make or break time so they need a couple of points here they need a couple of points the next service rotation they did exactly that to climb back into that set that is the mark of a championship Squad they've played like that all year off the block and out of bounds to your point earlier on Kevin about don't be too smart by halves just throw the ball up there and let haucus do some work against six hands yeah frustrates me when teams set fast to a three-man block where everybody knows it's going to be there or a well-formed two-man block what are you accomplishing besides disadvantaging your hitter by 30 that's what you're accomplishing here unfortunately terrible but it's an in Vogue philosophy that people adhere to with too much rigidity hawkish that ball out of bounds into the antenna an unforced air by number 23 hawkis now eight kills on 19 swings that is his make it seven kills on 19 swings really struggled the other night I I mentioned it briefly but it's to reiterate on haucus he was getting treatment throughout the course of that match on his right calf but when we spoke to Charlie Wade about it he said hey he looked fantastic in practice today so I'm very hopeful he'll be at full strength there is Norris been good been good from the service line and good offensively back row quick combination the Vic Brazil started that about now 15 years ago and it is a very very difficult play farther back than that oh yeah yeah I know the years are going by for me too it's like back in 2000 late 90s oh you're right you're right you're right early 2000s they were really perfecting into the 04 Olympics where that was kind of peak Brazil as good as they've been they've never been better than that final had ricardino with the setting position and they've continued it on with Bruno rosende oh look at that dig and set and hit wow wow what a play by UCLA yeah this is just making something out of nothing right you get to dig Champlin pops it up I've watched a lot of champion here just the way he moves you can see that he is a student of the game and John's cross saying that watches a ton of tape he came down and set next to John Spira during uh's semifinal this is a kid number 20 in blue who loves the game he's a student in the game he's just a volleyball guy he loves talking volley watch his feet after he passes and he's getting ready in the back row to hit a Bic out of the middle back you were just mentioning jiba or Murillo or some of these guys he moves just like them he chops his feet in the same way he's mimicking that style oh Champlin lost his footing maybe in a wet spot ball off the top of the tape change trajectory and speed yeah what happens here Paul is you make a move to your left because the ball's moving to your left and it catches the net and you've already stepped to your left but you've committed a little bit too far forward you can't then pull yourself backwards as it pops up onto your face Chris we'll go back to the line Hawaii's been very clean only five service errors now to a dozen for UCLA UCLA has missed more serves than any team in the world making trust me I mean that facetiously but that's that's how aggressive they are they missed well over 500 on the year over the top of the block by McHenry I saw gear my boss turn around he just he just nodded his head because there's no stopping that ball there is no getting a hold of that connection between Setter and hitter [Applause] oh that ball ripped into the Cross Court beautiful swing on the outside once again one on one by Galloway [Applause] your boss [Applause] [Applause] Bim off the top of the tape and out of bounds talking to him last night keoni fim and he set the record for the teams in the final four with the most mphs from the service line at 76 and and I transposed the numbers and I said man you sure served at 60 70. 76 my brother 76 come on get it right so it had the numbers right just in the wrong order tied at a set a piece Hawaii leading it 10-9 David a lot of blocked touches transition opportunities for UCLA that ball off the edge Back Road transition for the Bruins and we're tied at 10. yeah unfortunate for Hawaii that was a nice blocking move they responded to a very challenging situation there too look at diving in they get a good touch despite it being very crowded in that left side of the Court that most times will work out when you react that way the way why I did most times you end up getting another opportunity depth again for UCLA guy Guinness started the match also out of Israel six foot five Redshirt sophomore back on the floor for UCLA wearing number nine in blue I thought the J.R Norris IV did a really good job for the Bruins Off the Bench so I thought he had it challenge card coming yeah immediately immediately I think that ball was in now the bar nine notoriously bad but I think that ball might have been it well when I saw it live you heard my reaction I was about to Rip Roar and Ace I thought that ball was in for sure UCLA only has one challenge remember they lost their they lost their challenge in the second set Hawaii has both of their challenges this is the second challenge for UCLA Hawaii has challenged once and that's not going to oh my gosh yeah wow that's why we have the system that ball was in that ball was in by two feet Hey That's No Kansas in Texas but that ball's in all right it was Florida but whose County Florida my bad that was Kansas it was at Kansas no it was at Texas the all-time worst call in the history of volleyball it was in by three times that much and it was 100 yeah and it might it might have determined the outcome of the match absolutely it swung the momentum as I recall [Applause] [Music] nucleus finds a a small little crack in that Bruin wall but and what he's doing there is he's keeping the ball so high into the hands and hitting it with a ton of topspin that'll work out to your advantage when you're able to hit that area of the block more often than not you get a positive result or a zero you almost never get a straight down stuff or a negative that ball Missed Out of Bounds [Music] but that ball served out of bounds the scoreboard has it at 12 all I think it's 12-11 UCLA so there's some confusion here and it's only the score so I mean yeah now that now the scoreboard in the building also is in sync with us at 12 11. Rowan again nucleus again this time against three blockers no free ball for the Bruins and Guinness off the edge of the block and out of bounds yeah John's really working with that roster now that's just a fortunate bounce for the Bruins and Guinness yeah he wasn't in that much that last said bring kind of a loose vibe getting everybody going a little bit energy here tight third set UCLA has now come back to lead at 13-11 out hitting Hawaii five-45 to 364 here in the third [Applause] that ball just out of bounds they're close but there will be no challenge UCLA now with 16 errors so ahead of their Pace because they they miss on average 5.2 percent you talked about Chaz Galloway showing some signs of fatigue and I mean that's second set and the first set were both incredibly intense so coming on now for Hawaii seldom used because Galloway rarely leaves the floor as Philip Homer six foot seven senior out of the Czech Republic hummler excuse me I fall off the tape and another fortuitous bounce for UCLA leading at 14-12. right back in wow okay give you Galloway's number so far on the late afternoon here in Virginia in the Eastern Time Zone it's still very early I'm sure another Perfect Day in the Hawaiian Islands Galloway 7-15 hit 400. assured with a perfect pass [Applause] is really really impressive and he wasn't last year's championships as well you know a 6-4 middle Blocker in today's day and age yeah but he's giving you the complete game here look how far outside he is there that night's got to pay attention to that Knight has two hitters in his Zone and didn't track over to either one now he's got the front row Setter but they got to communicate about it the middle has to push him over so he can pay attention to the back one didn't do that he's still stuck on the center didn't even realize Hogan was behind him Akana coming in again to serve both Libras have been outstanding but particularly Troy Gooch what an important transfer of the six foot Redshirt senior out of Buffalo New York transferred from Purdue Fort Wayne and he is really solidified UCLA's receiving and defense tianito David lead 15-13 in the third third set UCLA on top of Hawaii 15-13 the top two seeds 29-2 with Hawaii Rainbow Warriors UCLA champions of the mpsf the number one overall seed at 30-2 back with two-time Olympian Kevin Barnett I'm Paul Sunderland second set 33-31 so many magnificent plays if that gets posted to YouTube or of course it'll be on ESPN plus go back and watch that second set it was phenomenal in so many ways coming out of the timeout Norris IV back on and still doing work from the service line smart shot by hakas but the Miss talk us a little bit unlucky what's he trying to do with that ball on the out of system set by Spiros hawkis I was trying to get a reset he's trying to slap it up into the block get a reset but that reset has got to be about six to ten feet off the net if the block manages to push it too far back and get a bad bounce that's a tough cover Hawaii LED 9-7 here in the third UCLA on top now 16-13 UCLA hitting a cool 6 15 here in the third set [Applause] [Applause] Norris playing some defense as well good shot by Night exactly what we're talking about [Applause] smart hitting on the outside by both teams and better blocking by the Bruins [Applause] now I'll tell you why this block goes down because the coverage of Hawaii had broken down as you go through a long rally like that everything gets kind of disorganized watch when this ball is contacted there's nobody anywhere near that attack normally you have a cup a semi-circle around the attacker there's nobody around here you see that semi-circle right there on the previous attack the next one nobody right and that's because the rally went so long [Music] Hawaii is challenging a net violation and unlike an international volleyball at the Olympic Games you can only challenge the final action unless you press a buzzer to stop play during the during the rally in college volleyball you can go back at any point during the rally I mean and that was a long long rally so they'll go back and look to see ball in or out net violation a touch they can go back and look at the whole thing and this whole system is a little bit slow in its implementation they don't show it in the arena and so it's it's like a dead area in the game but part of the reason that it's so slow is sometimes the communication of what's being looked at is difficult to get when you have that opportunity as you said Paul to challenge anything in the rally yeah net violation that's going to go wiser yeah that's twice that's that's that's a huge huge reversal and use of the challenge by Charlie Wade and his outstanding staff they still have two challenges John spiron UCLA have one challenge remaining unless we go to a fifth set UCLA won the opener 28-26 Hawaii won the second 33-31 it took him eight set points to get there after trailing by as many as seven make it 16 to 10 excuse me and 1913. David the pace of that bit that quick behind is really good to number 16 in blue David now leading all attackers in the match with 17 kills on 30 swings UCLA Back on Top by three hit 562 in the set [Applause] oh that's got to be a misplay miscontact very rare ball handling mistake tough chance for Jacob teller that time he was trying to paddle up that Norwegian waffle again like he did in the opening set but unable to get away with that and Hawaii Hawaii calls time out with the Bruins now leading 18-14 next stop on the F1 schedule is the second annual crypto.com Miami Grand Prix at the Miami International Auto Drome at the Hard Rock stadium Max verstappen is the defending Champion leads the season's driver standings our coverage begins at two excuse me tomorrow at 2 Eastern 11 Pacific with Grand Prix Sunday and the race starts at 3 30 Eastern 12 30 Pacific on ABC ESPN Deportes and ESPN plus Barney aren't you taking your family to a Formula One race this summer yeah we'll be at the Red Bull Ring coming up at the end of June where's that that is in Austria and we'll be there on a motorhome for four days camping at the track I will be wearing jords low Pumas and a Max for stopping t-shirt along with a whole plethora of orange smoke bombs so it's a full send this year well I I am very familiar with verstappen as he is my brother-in-law in Sweden's favorite driver [Music] Nito David again struggling with a virus on Thursday night but still had a very very big match LED UCLA 17 kills on 24 swings tonight a big load 18 kills but getting a lot of help now particularly from Alex Knight and the other outside hitter Ethan Champlin are having really really efficient matches I'll give you their numbers combined they're both left ciders stabbed by shuard [Music] oh nucleus the only time he hits on the left side in row one opposites in the left front Setters in the right back yeah he told me he spent a lot of time with his dad working on this recoil this open and then close on the ball watch how much torque he puts on the body here pulling the arm pulling the ABS generating a lot of momentum from the core of his body it's impressive mechanics smart shot for recycle and down the line update on the challenge start with three so UCLA has two remaining Hawaii has all three of theirs and getting into the final set you get an additional one in the fifth set if that does come to pass but you'll have no more than three all right real familiar situation for uh UCLA here isn't it pretty sizable lead Four Points feeling pretty good you have to close this set out if you're Cecilia and you give this one back I think you're going down in flames in the fourth 1913 was the advantage of the second set yeah but you've done almost as much work there yeah Galloway one on one a block by Rowan that's how you close the antenna this ball is gonna be a little bit outside and Rowan all the way to the antenna reaching over just in time he's maybe even a touch late there reaching through the net Rowan with a stuffed block for UCLA now on top 2015. and the fourth block timeout called by Hawaii you gotta love this rivalry here's tomorrow's Sunday Night Baseball matchup the series finale between the Dodgers and the Padres at Petco Park 7 Eastern core Pacific on ESPN ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio our coverage begins at 6 Eastern 3 Pacific with baseball tonight Sunday night countdown well I'm going to remember that I'm going to go back on ESPN plus and watch that second set again absolutely a classic one by Hawaii 33-31 but can they mount a comeback once again I've been trying to think if I've seen a better set in uh championship final in the sport of volleyball men's or women's I don't think so I don't think so not one that was better played I've seen a lot with terrific emotion seen a lot with big Stakes that mattered in determining the title but not one that was played at that level for that long something special so many so many sports center quality plays during the course particularly over 20. that just I mean when we got to 20 we didn't know we were going to 33-31. John Spira three national championships when he was the head coach at University of California Irvine 2007 2009 2012 also the Olympic team coach won a bronze medal in Rio [Applause] Hawaii must convert Voss I thought so do you see McHenry Bale to the other side to nucleus [Applause] [Music] let's Chuck gave a long stare at the Block check back again and they've got that one-on-one matchup that's good recognition again from Tilla understanding where everyone is in the game and this is the three rotations where it has to happen you have lost the line now would you get mooculus next you're gonna get Hoagland that ball left away inside that was a setting mistake a rare one for Rowan wearing number seven in blue for the Bruins and guess what Here Comes Hawaii and time out UCLA vintage Sean spraw he loves these early timeouts he doesn't like to let a roll get going on the other side you see this internationally with Team USA he will use his timeouts much earlier two three points earlier than most coaches David was just trying to spatch that ball up into the block and get it recycled but a much better block a much better block and that is their sixth Hawaii looking for to be the first team in over 40 years to win three in a row UCLA not surprisingly did it on three separate occasions and actually that team in the early 80s we mentioned Ricky looties we mentioned Dave Saunders we mentioned Steve Salmons among others and of course our dear friend karch kirai they actually won four in a row during that stretch well we were talking Charlie Wade today right and he said he found an old note in his desk and it was dated April 11 2019 and it was from Nico nucleus father tadimi that said if you get these three players you will win three straight national titles two are done one TBD that was on April 11th to 2019. better interesting conversation with Coach Wade you know the international influence on his team he says look I'm battling with Stanford UCLA USC for all of the top recruits in UCLA year in year out has the number one recruiting class if I have to recruit a player to compete against the likes of UCLA and they have a foreign passport I'm gonna go get them because they're good enough and they have been good enough the last couple of years night again boy he has been really really solid playing above his season averages tonight now with 11 kills on 26 swings that's a lot of activity for night Charlotte Wade described UCLA is an incredible collection of talent he said listen we offered every guy over there and UCLA won those battles right that's that's why I got yeah that's why I got to get on the plane perfect pass [Applause] tough chance for Galloway not much of an approach did the best he could [Applause] Hoagland I thought so good block touch the ball goes down Norton along with Roland doing a really nice job getting a touch but the Bruins couldn't continue the play 21-18 for UCLA you talked about disappointment in that second set you shouldn't be surprised you're playing a quality yeah you're playing the two-time defending reigning Champions you can't be surprised you'd be disappointed not surprised same thing here you can't get disappointed again don't let him come back as a reminder the Bruins led 19-13 a really good block Hoagland again remember in that second set atele led the way from the service line but the number of blocked touches that he got against the Bruins well and it's he in Oakland once again on that right side and the same matchup they're taking on Ethan and they're getting them I think you need to go to the opposite here I think you need to go to David under almost any circumstances Chuck the ball over there to your guy who's leading in offense with 19 kills hit 353. timeout called by UCLA so those are two pretty quick timeouts cla's lead is now just 21 to 19 a 4-1 run for Hawaii a lot of responsibility a lot of pressure on the shoulders of young Andrew Rowan trying to become the fifth freshman ever to lead a team to a national championship in his first season mentioned that we took a very very nice tour of the beautiful capital of this great country yesterday and every state has someone very special to represent them in the capital King Kamehameha who was the first to unite the islands of Hawaii and the Gipper Ronald Reagan there for the Statue representing California so California The Gipper against the king and one of the really interesting things about that statue in particular is it has a strip of the Berlin Wall oh fantastic underneath it in the base yes signifying the time when the Berlin Wall fell during the Reagan Administration Mr Gorbachev tear down that wall They begged President Reagan to take it out of his speech he wouldn't do it well we'll see if Hawaii can do it again there you go we'll see if they can come back hey are you away UCLA both teams out of timeouts 21-19 nucleus on the year 35 Aces good play by Norris go to him what a fantastic play by J.R Norris IV yeah this is next level stuff from a middle blocker the recognition the calmness of the platform and then right into his approach that is an outside hitter type move to the middle he's seven of eight with no errors yeah and Jared did not start this match right the depth of UCLA [Applause] a serve for Rowan [Applause] said he wanted to be a bruin since he was 12 years old he's living his dream and performing at a big moment here used to be an outside hitter at points in high school also has that big arm he's got a wonderful arm a whip came to UCLA in spite of the fact that he knew that he was going to not only have to battle but probably play behind the reigning conference Player of the Year in Miles parking Rowan again man missed that one out of bounds but at 23-19 not a very expensive Miss and just the young man just laughing that one off said I recruited him even though we had miles he was just too good just so good not to recruit very heavily and it worked out three hitters back in the front row for the Bruins good rotation [Applause] back to Norris again eight for nine and he gave you wrist away last time that was a hard cross body pushing UCLA to set point J.R Norris played very sparingly his first four years with the Bruins splitting time earlier in the year with guy Guinness but what a job he's doing in this championship match set point number one inside the block by Hawkins [Applause] one set point saved but still comfortable three-point separation for the Bruins caucus now with Nine Kills [Applause] right side David you said it Kevin UCLA closes it out quickly they trailed 9-7 but then went on a really solid run and over 18 UCLA was absolutely superb they went at 25-21 light work and a definitive finish from the big man on the right UCLA 2-1 [Music] the UCLA Bruins on top of the two-time defending Champions the Rainbow Warriors from Hawaii is it finally time for number 20. you look at the match summary UCLA leading in the offensive category and in terms of kills and doing a very nice job siding out Kevin cited out at 81 percent in that third set 81 and we said it's 70 win sets right well yesterday on 70 Hawaii you can't give up 80 to your opponent then that was the big one there that kills 15 of them for UCLA in that set Hawaii now in a must-win situation remember no team in 40 years has won three in a row Hawaii has won the last two one in Columbus in 2021 over BYU three sets to none and last year at UCLA over Long Beach State also three sets to none as Norris IV been almost a perfect night in attack eight of nine no errors and served very well good service pressure for the middle blocker nucleus with a kill off of champlin give you dimi mucous numbers now 15 kills on 36 swings it's just over three 30 now and on the year hit 395. this is kind of unknown territory for Hawaii they have only gone five one time this year and that was back on Thursday they don't have a lot of experience being in these good sets are having to go to a fifth set as we sit here on the floor you can even got to get there first they'll feed again they are running that right side in the front Court in the backcourt at Hyper Speed yeah fast and heavy is how you would describe that particular attack he's dialed up that line after two early misses I don't he has not missed another one wide rights or long on that right side will certainly be a candidate for the most outstanding player in the tournament should UCLA go on to win now with 21 kills after a big night on Thursday even when he was under under the weather at that time by high flying Chaz Galileo yeah nice Tempo again on the big I actually had Jason ring checking in one time uh star back in the late 90s at national team members said the Vic was executed in 96 by in the NCAA finals by UCLA and Hawaii by Hawaii at UCLA but uh I don't know about that I want to consult the tape j-ring Hawaii sang no touch we might have a challenge depending oh what a dig by shuard there it is again there will be no Challenge and Spiros huckest Spiro spiros is very Spirited One of the real vocal leaders on this team I tell j-ring I don't care when it started UCLA and Hawaii are able to use it now it is a integral part of most every college offense but Hawaii is executing its top shelf in this match tonight again with a very good pass UCLA comes right back Ethan Champlin number 20. look at the outsides Alex Knight 12 kills on 28 swings one error Champlin six kills on Ninth 19 swings a little quieter making seven kills now on 20. but boy have they been good in receptionists and so has Troy Gooch both teams with a level of serving the speed of serving the location they are really good in reception had to fight that one off and nucleus that was not a good swing into the middle of the net [Applause] nucleus has a year left to Village ability but he has decided he is going to move on to the professional ranks [Music] [Applause] that quick to guillerme boss [Applause] [Applause] age in the jump server McHenry yeah you could see that coming now we haven't seen him in a little while it looks no different than it did earlier in this match extremely high point of attack and a slow one in the middle this kid who's going to make an impact on the national team at that position he's still learning how to play middle defensively in particular when it comes to lateral movement and responding to different uh attack formations across from him but the offense something special led the nation in hitting efficiency at a gotti 527 also number nine Blocker in the country one of nine first team all-americans in this championship match it might be reminding a lot of people if you just tuned in you were back in 18 you were watching Dane and Gemma very similar in the pace of that attack in the middle in fact McHenry might even be just a touch slower but both guys hitting the ball around 12 feet man that ball missed out of bounds so UCLA now on top just to review what a night it has been so far opening set overtime to UCLA 28-26 second set quadruple over time one of the best sets I've ever seen we've ever seen 33-31 to Hawaii and then a really really solid performance particularly after trailing early Andrew Rowan and the Bruins trailed 9-7 they went on to win that third set 25-21 the Hawaii fans hate that one pancake by Rowan but what a set by the middle blocker Paul that's sort of a weird meal right there that's a pancake to a deep dish pizza it was it was oh that was an odd mix man that was a Gino's East right there from J.R Norris we're gonna have a challenge of that ball being up or down on the defensive play by Rowan and why with all three of their challenges I misspoke earlier in yes whether or not it's up or down UCLA with two challenges remaining [Music] UCLA if the call stands look at Rowan's left hand that's close it could be inside kind of the thumb yeah any part of the pointer finger right any part of the ball that is really really close now remember they have the capability to zoom in in this case they'll probably have access to uh our footage and that ball is down that Ball's down great work by our crew yeah fabulous to get that angle and show you watch this that is down that is going Hawaii he's got it yep yep good use of the challenge again that one was that one was an easy one some of the earlier ones look at Rowan can't believe it he thought he got it but that ball that ball was down pointer finger and half your thumb is not enough no no tied at six Hawaii with their full complement of challenges still remaining [Applause] caucus in transition off the top of the block another score for oh that here comes yeah we're going to have another challenge I'm sitting 50 feet away and that was an obvious touch no touch was called the first referee called the ball out of bounds and did not get any necessary help from his lines people you saw it the same way didn't you Barney I don't know that sounded like a definitive statement from you the eye of Sunderland might be under review here I I got a new prescription at Costco not not too long ago so so I am I am doing really well I saw the ball change direction it changed spin all right well it's gonna be Champlin who's gonna get this or not on the right side with probably his right hand I don't see any definitive there it's slowed down a little bit here I I can't tell there no I can't tell there either now they have a system that has different frames per second FPS cameras on different corners that they're going to be looking at the referee so you at home are not going to see everything the referee will see in this case I'm not sure based on what we have other than that he's a champion can jump that I am sure of you see far over the net he's only six three yeah that's that's amazing huh call stance okay he's actually 6'4 with the mustache okay 6'4 with the mustache I think you had John sprawl at 6-2 earlier somebody said yeah and then one of his friends chived in in a text chain that I saw said uh 511 at best I don't think so so Hawaii loses the challenge they are down now like UCLA with two challenges Champlin will continue to serve and on the service air tied at seven you're right he's much taller with a mustache it's not a Fletch situation but it's close speaking of only six foot three six four you saw how high Champlin was able to jump something that John spiral alluded to nice block on the outside hakas along with guillermavos yeah and they finally got him right the ball's a little bit inside stayed disciplined didn't go all the way to the line this is a nice move by Hawkins look he stops really short yeah and he gets it with the left hand John Spira told us earlier today when we chatted with the 11th year head coach at UCLA that this is the most physical team he's ever coached and that included three teams that won national championships when he was at UC Irvine well they're undefeated in warm-ups including today and walking into the arena not true good point beautiful set oh what a block night again heat Knight and Norris have been so impressive to me tonight for UCLA lots of times you get the question which is more fun a straight down kill hit by you or a block like that the answer is B [Applause] wrapping around the outside but getting it with his right elbow UCLA statistically the best blocking team in the country with their fifth Hawaii has eight serve wow that was close that was really close to hitting nucleus I don't think there was a touch you is looking for a touch John spiral is going to throw the challenge card right now looking for a touch we're gonna be looking at the feet uh Demetrius nucleus in the corner as he tries not to be a carnival dog this ball was also very close to being in which they can also review when they're looking at whether or not there was a touch or in or out and this is a tough move for the opposite when you're trying to get around the end when you're coming from the left back and you're trying to get around the end to get ready for the D you're moving so fast he's sliding here that if the ball catches you you're not really prepared to move you're not prepared for that type of reaction it was a very very attractive leg kick though yeah and and is this ball in good question could be it did I don't think it hit Demi I don't think it hit nucleus I'm gonna give him an 8-9 on The Late kid but the Russian judge gave him a seven they're gonna throw that out I thought that was really uncalled but the Greek judge gave him a 10.0 yeah [Music] French judge collected some money yeah that Ball's ruled in Ace for UCLA that is their seventh Ace so far on the night nucleus on the night 15 kills 38 attempts caucus with 10 Galloway with nine guillerme Voss with seven and Cole Hoagland was six [Applause] wow Norris again what a job he has done in so many different phases [Applause] John Spira telling us J.R Norris who's been with us for a while he's got another year although he's a redshirt senior he can still add to that his covet Year John spiral really wants him to come back because other than with him then everybody on this Bruin team is coming back for next year UCLA on a three-nothing run nucleus that is a world-class swing by number 11 in Black here's the thing for Hawaii for all the momentum of the last few points for UCLA felt like hey they're playing some quality volleyball why is that one so what get a champ it's super good right now you got your best guy at the line transition two three balls here you could leave this rotation with a two-point lead that's a big win right now night again perfect reception and over the top by Merrick McHenry you said he was hitting it close to 12 feet you're exaggerating right that's close no yeah no no no oh way above I'm only half kidding with you Barney yeah I mean that is that is one of the highest contact points out of the middle that I can remember yes consistently too that's the scary part yeah it's one thing to do it once in a while good turn down the line outside the block that time of night side out for Hawaii and caucus UCLA on top 11 10. the wheels turning on the Hawaii sideline Charlie Wade in his 14th year back-to-back national championships and missed out of bounds for UCLA as we talked about with their incredible history 29 times into the NCAA tournament they've won 19 championships but have not stood atop the podium if you will since 2006. UCLA has won 19. three teams have won five now we don't know what the momentum is going to be at the end of this this set here Hawaii takes the victory we don't know if they'll be running away with it or they just get away with it kind of thing Paul but I would give the advantage of the Champs if this gets to five their experience their confidence the way they've played all year I would give them the edge but they got to get there first you know and dim is going to maybe be a big part of that he's had some huge moments this year from the line lighting it up and just serving Aces cold then we've been quiet so far this weekend [Applause] football yeah I missed that one out of bounds he can be really effective in a big weapon boss will come back on and then be replaced by Brent shuard the labor office okay mchenry's got a really vicious serve [Applause] Bruins looking to extend the lead and passed by McHenry [Applause] a lot of really smart attacking and a touch off the defender killed by David what's the best part of that whole play you at home what's the best part of that whole play not the kill it's the defense out of your middle yep two plays two critical plays good ball handling good awareness charging on defense by America Canada [Applause] set at 14-11 from GLA [Applause] and a double contact that against Takis and we've come to the media timeout UCLA leading it 15 to 11. leading two sets to one is it time for 20. we're going to find out soon for it to be time for 20. you got to get to 19 first and UCLA dominated the early stages of this Championship started in 1970. Kevin Barnett nine waves have five to their credit there's our dear friend and Hall of Famer Marv Dunphy and the USC Trojans it's been a bit this is 1990 the last time the Trojans won a title and the UC Irvine anteaters Dave nipen part of that big tradition there the title started by John spiral and they were very much a factor played their best volleyball at the big West championships this year at the end of the year really a talented squad for next year look for the anteaters to once again be a factor UC Irvine upset Long Beach State in the semifinals of the conference tournament before falling to Hawaii semifinals UCLA beat Long Beach really good serving in Hawaii had to go five sets to take out pitney's Penn State Nittany Alliance oh David is roofed Hoagland and Galloway are a small block right no but there's nothing small about how far they get over the net they are undersized both of them there is nothing undersized about the finish here perfect finish Hoagland closes gets to the left hand right to Galloway I think it was Galloway's right hand to put that one straight down nine blocks so far from nucleus in Hawaii UCLA with only five [Applause] what a dig what a dig by nucleus oh it's good Hawaii Gotta Have It again they don't go away they just don't go away I continue to be impressed by Hawaii when teams put pressure on because I didn't there weren't a ton of times that that happened but it's happened a lot big West pressure from Irvine here pressure from Penn State every time Hawaii has responded including in this Match multiple times from the Bruins and they've done it just by being themselves they're cool calm collected overall play and their outside hitters were all very similar in the type of ball they hit are so efficient when facing a big block and moving the ball around with heat and range one spectacular dig by dimi muklis on that hammer from J.R Norris [Applause] [Applause] David big swing back to nucleus yeah you bet and out of bounds down the line that could turn out to be a big one break point first you want to break the way you wanted that 20 to 14 to really be in control here that's realistic you got row into the line he's been serving a ton Now's the Time for a cut there's so much room in the middle of the Court Rowan's got one ace so far on the night Galloway dug by gooch Nutella took a look and nucleus off LeBron man this is high level stuff continue to be so impressed with Alex Knight in reception he has been absolutely superb sub coming on we saw briefly number 16 come in haven't seen much of him Philippe hobler senior opposite out of the Czech Republic will come in briefly for Galloway 16-14 UCLA leading it but most importantly up two sets to one one the first in overtime 28-26 lost the second 33-31 won the third fairly comfortably 25-21 [Applause] back row quick missed out of bounds Champlin Champlin is screaming for a challenge and John Spira is going to go to the challenge card it was close he had a wide open net did not get great contact but certainly the Bruins thought that ball was in so challenging in or out on the attack [Music] [Applause] give you some we'll look at some replays and then I'll give you some offensive totals and defensive totals so far [Applause] oh my gosh that Ball's way in weighing that's no doubt you silly point yeah that's not even close we've had a couple of those yeah but in referee's defense look this this ball is being hit right around 80 miles an hour sometimes it's tough to see it so the challenge is upheld I talked about the offensive numbers David with 22 kills Knight with 12. McHenry with 10. nucleus with 17 haucus with 11 and Chaz Galloway with 10 on the match UCLA is hitting 341 to Hawaii's 291 but the last couple of sets particularly in the third UCLA was really impressive 17-14 is the lead now remember the scheming before that we were tucking people in with Alex Knight tucked in on the right side see if he does it again he didn't move far he stayed right where he was Champlin with the Dig Knight hand in the antenna Hawaii's hand yep yep hand in the antenna time out called by Hawaii 's pinky going high up into the that's good that's good work by the officials yeah Ron Pelham that happens right in front of him he's uh he's the up officially R1 Mr Arizona and that is sometimes hard to see when it's right in your face right next to you as a referee is responsible for so much is happening when it's close to you you don't always see it Ron on the spot yeah really good job we talked about UCLA's 19 NCAA titles look at Oklahoma State wrestling 34 USC track and field right on down the list but 19. all of those by the one and only Al skates and I know we've said it but it Bears repeating it has been since 2006 and UCLA has had so many close calls particularly in the last couple of seasons including last year against Long Beach at Pali Pavilion they had a lead in the fourth and they could not close it out but maybe it's time for 20. you know we talked about the Freshman Setters who've LED teams to a national championship I got a text from Dave Albright he was a 22 year old freshman at UCLA in 1976 and he too won a national championship and he wasn't happy that I left him off the list anymore so now Andrew Rowan is looking to become the sixth freshman ever to lead a team to a national championship the other the great Ricky ludy's chip McCaw both ludy's and McCaw Olympians the one and only karch kirai Jonathan Winder now the head coach at Pepperdine and maybe Andrew Rowan and maybe the wait is over for number 20. good delivery really good set to David that connection is just magical on the night UCLA siding out at close to 80 percent now 19-14 is the lead six points away see me asking for the ball you saw him there he wants it let's see if he gets it they need this side out or they get to the number I talked about earlier 2014 game over mookley has 17 of 43 so far on the night back row quick combination excellent reception and beautiful offensive volleyball by Galloway in Hawaii [Music] all right [Applause] number 25 in black on to serve does have an ace earlier in the match [Applause] swing by hawkis off the block and out of bounds that back row quick combination for the side out to Galloway and now Akana doing work from the line timeout called by UCLA and you talked about John's Garage strategy as far as timeouts early yeah better be better be too early rather than too late I can't think of another coach you would call a timeout if you lose one point you're up three 19-16 for the 53rd men's NCAA Championship Hawaii has won the last two in a row looking to become the first program since UCLA back in the early 80s to win three in a row there have been three UCLA teams that have won as many as three in a row 28-26 in the opening set to UCLA 33-31 just a magical set in the second 25 21 in the third for UCLA said that John's problem will take these early timeouts right I think the advantage to that is there's less Panic happening there's less calming down needed on your side I think you can productively get more done in this time out than you could if let's say it was 1918 or 19 19. yeah that's really if you've lost control of the Arena you've lost control of the emotions on your side right now tactically you can insert some things because you have a lot more time and attention from your side that's such a great point because if it's 1918 the 2200 Hawaii fans that flew from the islands to Washington DC would be blowing the roof off this place [Applause] [Music] the other interesting thing it does is it has Hawaii in a timeout when they don't aren't normally in a Timeout what do you do you've only gotten one point [Applause] night again with reception and also registering his 50th kill 15 of 31 with one error hitting way over 4 30. just having a maybe the match of his career 20-16 UCLA siding out at 73 percent Hawaii at 60 percent [Applause] you win the side out battle you win the set a runs out of room and who else again J.R Norris the fourth at the line what an impact he's had on this match Kevin eight of 11 hitting 7-27 and that was his fourth Ace if you've had a long college career where you've been in and out of the lineup couple different positions and you finally get something going this is a time to do it that that pass and he took the ball off the top of the net and passed the swing was outstanding he's had a number of policy Crush including in that 33-30 set or 33-31 said it here man the serving has just been off the hook that's been the best part of a player who has hardly been stopped offensively these points from the service line have been monstrous for Assad well he's got eight points attacking again on 11 swings hitting over 720 and Four Aces and has also blocked well defended his position set a couple of balls he along with Knight for me have been the players of the match for UCLA [Music] really good team effort so far Ito David where would the Bruins be without him 23 kills on 46 swings night with 15 Merrick McHenry really solid team effort so far for the Bruins and now Hawaii the best winning percentage since 2015 at like 90 percent they've won 202 matches since 20 2015. now Norris has tried to roll it before he rolled it straight ahead boss is in that spot I would roll it if that's what you're going to do at the position two or three leading 21-16 UCLA four points away from number 20. three points away [Applause] put a cape on that man what a performance and remember did not start came off the bench came off the bench early but had an immediate impact for UCLA on this day for the rest of time John's Garage should send a gift to J.R Norris this is [Applause] that's a wonderful performance from the service line John Spira played for the legend Al skates obviously knows the history knows the situations and knows the level but sure frustration is the right word but when you win 19 times from 19 from 1970 to 2006 and then you haven't won since this has been a long time waiting still work to do time for Hawaii and Jacob tella at the line it's got to be now night perfect pass and a perfect block on the outside by mucus [Applause] McHenry telling Rowan on a quality pass come to me out of the middle if you can there's lots of good options yes I'm fine with the choice the certification was not ideal [Applause] yeah to McHenry you knew that was coming and what a pass All Night Long by Gooch I thought I hope you saw McHenry he turned around and pointed down Edgar said yeah it was you that was all you [Music] okay thank you [Applause] John Spira at UCLA 1-2 championships and won a championship as an assistant coach can he do it at his alma mater [Applause] night is blocked guillerme boss another timeout for UCLA Barney yep he told him 23 23-20 UCLA now out of timeouts as is Hawaii tough play here predicated by the serve that ball is off the net and let a little bit low if you hear me boss just keeps working yeah his best skill is blocking he is Relentless the way he works to go laterally even if he's a touch behind the play he'll stop but get his hands over he'll push his hands into the Gap push him over yeah Gary Vaughn has been a Difference Maker for a number of years on this team and again on that play keeping Hawaii's hopes alive here in the fourth set 1.2 blocks per set for the Brazilian guillerme boss that gets him in at number five in the nation 23-20 crowd comes back alive looking for three in a row hasn't been done in a long long time see how haucus responds coming out of the timeout back to McHenry on the good pass Barney I like that option I like Edo David probably more than anything right now David with 23 kills I don't like the left side got a couple blocks over there go somewhere else service air for haucus UCLA four Championship points night you go for it 100 percent one point away for number 20. [Applause] UCLA stayed down didn't block against nucleus so one set point Championship Point saved to have John Spira is going to challenge and I'm thinking back to what transpired in that point [Applause] Rachel Jensen the number two official has communication with the first referee Ron Pelham thank you [Applause] [Music] no challenge that's that's interesting that took a long time for there not to be a challenge I like no challenge all right perfect pass McHenry bad pass David Championship Point number two [Applause] [Music] must have for the Rainbow Warriors bad pass [Applause] we're gonna we're gonna have a challenge we're gonna have a challenge from Hawaii okay this I hate about the challenge system because we saw this internationally quite a bit yes yeah this ruins a moment not that it shouldn't be done it's just an unfortunate Factor because now you nearly crushed and killed your middle blocker and he might have to play another play got cameras on the floor got security people on the floor this looks like the Formula One race last week the ruling on the floor was balled down by UCLA and Championship Point Hawaii is challenging either a net violation I think the only thing they're challenging is a net violation [Applause] no one's even close to the net your guys in the net yeah this is over do the dog pile again this is a ridiculous challenge dp2 and it's time for 20. [Applause] [Applause] [Music] thank you well done give our regards to your bro [Music] we thought we were going to get this kind of match it's exactly what we got the two best teams going overtime in the first two an incredible second set and the end of a drought [Music] like the California rains here comes a UCLA title we had a good winner in Southern California as far as rain is concerned but this what a run by Hawaii the most successful program since 2015 in terms of winning percentage two national championships and UCLA for the first time since 2006. our national champions once again they had and we showed you in detail the number of close calls they had had over the last several years [Applause] the emotion of this championship and how good was J.R Norris John Spira now joining us on the sideline John you played you coached now you've won a national championship what took you so long are you doing the history better than anybody well I tell you what we've been working hard and getting close for a long time proud of these guys put it over the top I know the alumni and everybody who played who's been waiting so long has been nothing but supportive the whole way they knew we could do it thank you to all the guys I just I know how much this is for everybody this is all for all the Bruins everywhere is an amazing Championship John what was the score when you let yourself start to think about it uh I I didn't because even Hawaii is such a good capable team and they kept coming back and coming back that I was just not letting myself go there and so I even at the end I had a very strong suspicion that they were gonna uh Replay that one and uh I'm glad it came out our way J.R Norris ends his long career with an illustrious performance from the service line in particular but also offensively what prompted you put him in when you did early on I know he can kill the ball and uh I had a feeling that well it gets a little complicated there Kev but I started in a different rotation than I have been all year but in order to be successful in that I need a little bit more offense in the other spot so I kind of had it in the back of my mind I was going to take a look at guy early and then I went to Jr and it worked John you alluded to it what's in your heart right now oh Elation Pride whoa dang it Paul you're trying to get me to choke up it's not gonna happen I'm I'm gonna hold off until later really proud and happy for everybody at UCLA Let It Go jump go go fight it wait till the press conference it'll be there congratulations to you and one final thought from me I thought that Alex Knight was as good or better than I've seen him all season long and your freshman setter is is otherworldly not a freshman anymore didn't play like it no he sure didn't I think I'm sure you have the stats but if I'm not mistaken that's the first time a freshman Setter since 1992 that has won a national championship so it's uh he deserves it he's one of the best John thank you very much congratulations guys appreciate you and your team and all of your staff thank you very much completely a team performance Edo David led the way with 23 Alex Knight superb Merrick McHenry as well as a team UCLA hits 353 and holds if you will this Hawaii offense and what a team from Hawaii congratulations to them for an incredible run at 299 and joining us now Courtside a national champion J.R Norris IV you've been waiting patiently for this kind of opportunity for a long time and boy did you take advantage of it how did you feel coming in uh honestly I just felt prepared I've been in college for a long time so this just feels like a culmination of a lot of hard work uh I I'm honestly speechless there's a lot of people I want to take out the time just to say thank you my parents my sister who flew out just to come and support all the coaching staff the Bruin family it's it's been an honor and I'm happy to go out on top gee are you been here a long time you've seen a lot of different players coming so tell me about the culture what it was and what it is now your role in it this year uh when I first got to college the culture was a little different I was the youngest player on the team uh but now I'm considered the grandpa or the uncle so what I try to do now is just I don't know offer any support that I can and we all pull for one another it's a great it's a great culture here I'm really gonna miss it Jr obviously you know the historic success of UCLA volleyball yeah tonight is time for 20. what was the conversation with you and your teammates about that Pursuit this year uh oh my gosh as soon as we hit the gym and fall quarter we just made it known that that was our goal and we weren't going to settle for anything less I'm really proud of the boys we pushed and we got here congratulations great team effort congratulations to you appreciate it on what you'll never forget tonight congratulations thank you so much man Kevin your final thoughts uh what a performance by UCLA you know play your best when your best is required is the old John Wooden quote J.R Norris and this team did that tonight and in this season UCLA the Bruins are national champions once again they win it 28-26 they dropped the second set and they win the fourth and third 25-21-25-21 for Kevin Barnett and our entire Quran Paul Sunderland let's send it to Starkville Mississippi State and SEC baseball