No. 2 UCLA storms back to beat Princeton, remains undefeated

The offense for No. 2 UCLA bounced back in a big way following its opening-game loss.

The Bruins after being held to a .095 attack percentage in the first game hit more than .375 in two of the final three games as UCLA defeated Princeton 22-25, 25-18, 25-20, 25-14 on Friday in Los Angeles.

All-American setter Miles Partain and freshman setter Andrew Rowan guided the UCLA offense to out-hitting the defending EIVA champions for the match .311 to .162.

Partain had 21 assists and contributed seven kills with zero errors on a .583 attack percentage. Rowan had a match-high three aces and came off the bench to start the fourth game.

Outside attacker Alex Knight had a team-high 13 kills on a .385 attack percentage and was one of five Bruins with at least five kills. Middle attacker Guy Genis also contributed five kills and zero errors on a team-best .583 attack percentage.

UCLA (4-0, 0-0 MPSF) out-blocked Princeton 12 to 6 with Knight and middle attacker Merrick McHenry both having a match-high six blocks.

Princeton outside attacker Nate Thompson had 10 kills and hit .400. In addition, outside attacker Ben Harrington led Princeton with 13 kills in the opener of the team’s three-match West Coast road trip.

The Tigers (1-2, 0-1 EIVA) in the loss committed 22 service errors – eight more service errors than the Bruins.

UCLA with this win remains undefeated and has now hit more than .300 in all four matches to open the season. The Bruins finished last season with a nation-best .374 attack percentage as they advanced to the NCAA Tournament semifinals.