No. 16 UCLA Drops Heartbreaker on the Road

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SAN DIEGO - Outside hitter Mac May had a career night but the Bruins (4-1) dropped a heartbreaker at No. 25 San Diego, 3-2, on Thursday night at the Jenny Craig Pavilion. UCLA fell to 10-2 all-time against the Toreros and 2-2 at USD. Set scores were 19-25, 26-24, 20-25, 25-19, 12-15.

The match was a seesaw affair with neither team winning back-to-back sets. The Bruins had solid statistics all-around, but made a few more errors than normal. UCLA led in kills (64-52), digs (66-64), and assists (55-49). USD led in blocks (17.0-13.0) and aces (6-5). The Bruins outhit the Toreros .163 (64K, 35E, 178TA) to .146 (52K, 28E, 164TA) but had nine more service errors than USD (13-4).

May's offensive outburst moved her into UCLA's career top 10 list in kills with 1,591. That total is good for 10th, passing Kim Krull (1,575 - 1993-96) and 39 behind Annett Buckner (1,630 - 1991-94. May also just missed a double-double with nine digs, to go with three blocks and three service aces against the Toreros.

Reigning Pac-12 Freshman of the Week, Charitie Luper, maintained her strong form, registering her first double-double of the season with 19 kills and 10 digs. Luper also had two assists and two solo blocks.

Senior libero Zoe Fleck had a 20-dig performance for the 12th time in her career to go with seven assists and one ace.

San Diego had a trio of players reach double digits in kills, led by Emily Wilson and Kylie Pries, who had 14 kills apiece. Grace Frohling chipped in 12 kills for USD. Torero libero Annie Benbow was credited with a match-high 24 digs.

The Bruins are back in action tomorrow when they face San Diego State at 7:00 p.m. PT at Aztec Court at Peterson Gym.