Top-seeded UCLA cruised in a three-set win over No. 8 seed Fort Valley State, sweeping the Wildcats 25-14, 25-15, 25-15 in the first round of the men’s NCAA volleyball tournament on Tuesday at Long Beach State’s Walter Pyramid. The defending national champion Bruins will face fourth-seeded UC Irvine or No. 5 Penn State in the semifinals at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Senior Ethan Champlin led the Bruins with eight kills and four digs. Mountain Pacific Sports Federation player of the year Merrick McHenry and opposite Ido David combined for 14 kills on 20 swings as the Bruins (24-5) hit a sizzling .