UCLA Takes Five Match Wins to No. 1 Nebraska

UCLA will take a five-match winning streak into its matchup against No. 1 Nebraska on Thursday, October 22, in Lincoln, Nebraska, as the Bruins look to strengthen their position in the Big Ten women's volleyball standings. The 15-4 Bruins, who hold a 6-2 conference record, will face the undefeated Cornhuskers at 4 p.m. Pacific Time on FS1, according to UCLA Athletics.

Nebraska enters the contest at 19-0 overall and 8-0 in conference play. According to Sports Illustrated, the Cornhuskers recently defeated No. 13 Purdue after dropping their first set in Big Ten play, ending a streak of 26 consecutive sets won. Nebraska recovered to take the match with 25-19 and 25-14 victories in the final two sets.

UCLA has climbed to No. 10 in the NCAA Ratings Percentage Index and sits fourth in the Big Ten. The Bruins earned their first victory over a ranked opponent this season by defeating No. 15 Penn State in five sets before overcoming Ohio State in another five-set match, according to UCLA Athletics.

Against Penn State, UCLA rallied from a 2-1 deficit, with Maggie Li recording 17 kills, Kate Duffey providing 48 assists and libero Kat Lutz registering a career-high 28 digs and four service aces. The Bruins finished with 79 digs and eight aces, winning the deciding set after a 6-1 closing run.

UCLA followed that result with a five-set victory over Ohio State, hitting .314 with 65 kills and a 12.5-5 advantage in blocks. Li again led the team with 17 kills, while Eliana Urzua, Marianna Singletary and Mija Bendziute each recorded 11 or more kills.

Lutz has stepped into the libero role while Lola Schumacher recovers from an injury. According to UCLA Athletics, Lutz accumulated 45 digs, five aces and seven assists across the two victories, providing defensive stability during the Bruins' unbeaten weekend.

Senior libero Kat Lutz recorded a career-high 28 digs against Penn State before leading UCLA with 17 digs against Ohio State. Schumacher had previously produced a career-best 29 digs in a five-set victory over Hawaii and earned tournament MVP honors.

At the net, graduate middle blocker Marianna Singletary remains one of UCLA's leading contributors. UCLA Athletics reports that she has recorded 176 kills, a .335 hitting percentage and 108 total blocks. She ranks seventh nationally in blocks per set and fourth nationally in total blocks, according to the program's match preview.

Middle blocker Brooke Harwood has also emerged as an important contributor. The freshman is hitting .359 and averaging 3.00 points per set, while outside hitter Maggie Li leads UCLA in scoring at 3.76 points per set.

Head coach Matt Werle is in his first season leading UCLA's women's volleyball program after the university appointed him in February 2026. Sports Illustrated reports that Werle previously coached at Grand Canyon and served as an assistant at Kansas before taking the UCLA position.

The Bruins also face Iowa on Saturday, October 24, at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa. UCLA Athletics lists that match for 4 p.m. Pacific Time on Big Ten Network, following Thursday's nationally televised contest against Nebraska.