This post was updated May 5 at 9:23 p.m.
No. 1 seed UCLA men’s volleyball (29-2, 13-1 MPSF) saw its 2026 campaign come to an end Saturday after falling to UC Irvine (20-8, 5-5 Big West) in a five-set thriller that went to sudden death at Pauley Pavilion.

This post was updated May 3 at 8:45 p.m.
With both sides of the court and the stands celebrating rambunctiously at each point in the final stanza, it almost seemed unclear as to whose home arena was hosting the regional final, with “U-C-I” chants being met by an UCLA eight-clap.

Sometimes I wake up, and things feel perfect.
My alarm clock rings when I want it to.
Every stoplight seemingly turns green as I approach it.

For a team that has been the country’s unanimous best squad for the entire year, the Bruins were probably expected to walk away victorious.
But while it’s one thing to advance, it’s another to do it with perseverance.

This post was updated April 21 at 10:23 p.m.
No. 1 seed UCLA men’s volleyball (26-1, 13-1 MPSF) enters the MPSF tournament with a first-round match-up against No.

Tied at six points to open the game, Andrew Rowan was forced into a first touch to begin the Bruins’ rally.
After the senior setter’s pass flew to Zach Rama, the senior outside hitter looked as if he was about to rise for the swing.

When Cole Hartke rose from the right side for his 51st swing of the game, the ball flew over the net and crossed the court, narrowly contacting the court’s left-side line.

No. 1 UCLA men’s volleyball (20-0, 7-0 MPSF) is in the midst of a historic season, securing one of the best starts in program history in what could amount to its third national championship in four years.

The beauty of volleyball is that the same result can come from the same two teams in consecutive games, but a completely different story can be told each time.

Only one program has more national championship trophies than the Bruins.
But if Friday night was any indicator, 2026 may see that deficit eliminated.
No. 1 UCLA men’s volleyball (19-0, 6-0 MPSF) swept No.