This was a down and dirty slugfest with two squads who are nowhere near perfect sometimes and very strong sometimes. Back and forth and back and forth. The last two sets in particular, were exhausting to watch and you could tell the starters were getting gassed.

25-22, 25-15, 31-33, 29-27

Both teams played some tremendous defense, it was their offenses that sputtered sometimes.

Varga had one of his better games at the net in a while, 17 kills .353 and 5 blocks.

The middles again pretty dominant, Cryst has been lights out and will get some looks for FOY but I think UCI has a Fr Jokanovic who is lighting it up even more. Braun was solid sometimes and too slow sometimes. Marquardt subbed in for energy in the 4th set and delivered 4 kills and 2 blocks he can be a beast.

Setting is average this year, I doubt Pazanti has a lot of ceiling to go, Doty is a great backup but a meh starter, both bring average setting but some good serving and defense.

Middles are amazing, the best group I've seen in total ever. So good that Preuitt, who saved our butts last year by stepping in for an injured Braun late in the season and delivering calm, confident play through to the championship, can't seem to get a sniff of time after being out half the season with his own injury. Cryst and Marquardt and Preuitt could anchor the middle for the next 2 years but all 3 are high level starter quality.

Opposite is strong with Daniil and Gajek but both are battling injuries. Daniil playing, Gajek unavailable but he looks close.

OHs Varga and Kandev are great but the setting to them has been subpar.

Bloom and Peluso are the super subs this year both doing wonderfully.

Coaching seems on target, MacRae making good moves, wins most of his challenges.

Like with Aidan Knipe for 4 years, it comes down to setting being DI avg when we need a top 5 setter to challenge for the Natty.

I've watched Fr recruit Lucas Helle out of S. Carolina a bit, he looks promising.

UCLA finally lost a match, to Pepperdine. Hawaii had a 5 setter at UCI then swept them, they are the hottest team right now.

Have a sense that the BW tournament, as usual, there will be no easy matches, and with Hawaii not hosting its anyone's to take.

But I don't see this Beach team getting it done, it will be an accomplishment to get to the post season, but the lack of a high level setter will take us apart at some point.