In big upset, top-seeded UCLA men’s volleyball season ends
Top-seeded UCLA men's volleyball suffered a surprising defeat to unseeded UC Irvine in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals, ending their season in five sets at Pauley Pavilion. The match turned when an official review overturned what appeared to be the winning point for UCLA, giving UC Irvine renewed momentum. The Anteaters advanced to the Final Four, while the Bruins, who had only two losses all season, were left to reflect on a sudden and emotional end to their campaign.
- ▪UCLA lost to UC Irvine 25-23, 19-25, 25-23, 19-25, 16-14 in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals.
- ▪The match's momentum shifted when a replay review overturned a winning point that had initially been awarded to UCLA.
- ▪UC Irvine, unseeded and trailing 8-4 in the fifth set, advanced to the Final Four to face Ball State at Pauley Pavilion.
- ▪UCLA's only other loss this season came against Pepperdine a month earlier.
- ▪Bruins coach John Hawks expressed sadness over the end of the seniors' careers, which included two championships and a runner-up finish last year.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Sports In big upset, top-seeded UCLA men’s volleyball season ends By Ben Bolch Published May 3, 2026, 1:31 a.m. ET Their fortunes changed in a flash. One moment, the UCLA men’s volleyball players were celebrating a trip to the Final Four. The next, they were mourning the end of their season. Bruins volleyball players huddle during their NCAA Tournament quarterfinal against UC Irvine. That’s how quickly the momentum shifted Saturday night after what appeared to be the winning point was wiped out by an official review during the Bruins’ NCAA Tournament quarterfinal against UC Irvine. Given new life, the unseeded Anteaters went on to complete the comeback, knocking off top-seeded UCLA, 25-23, 19-25, 25-23, 19-25, 16-14, at Pauley Pavilion.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at New York Post.
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