UCLA continues to roll in preseason, sweeps alumni match

UCLA outside attacker Matt Hanley had a match-high 11 kills as the Bruins swept its alumni squad 25-22, 25-22, 25-15 in an exhibition match Saturday at the John Wooden Center.

Hanley finished the match with a .600 attack percentage and added a match-high two aces. The redshirt sophomore started four matches for the Bruins last year and had 40 total kills during the regular season.

Along with Hanley, outside attackers Ryal Jagd and Kene Izuchukwu each had five kills in the victory.

Setter Connor Bannan started the match in place of Kyle Caldwell, who did not play because he is playing for the United States in the Pan American Games. Bannan had a match-high 23 assists.

Among the UCLA alumni participating in the match included Matt Wade and Marcin Jagoda, who each had six kills.

Following the Bruins’ third-game victory to complete the sweep, both teams played a fourth set that the current UCLA team won 25-22.

UCLA entered this exhibition match after opening its preseason 4-2 last week at the USC Fall Invitational.

The Bruins finished last season in eighth place in the MPSF and lost in the conference tournament quarterfinals. The team has six starters returning for the upcoming season, including All-MPSF outside attacker Gonzalo Quiroga and middle attacker Wes Dunlap.

UCLA will continue its preseason at the SAC Tournament Nov. 11-12.