UCLA, Pepperdine Seek Final Four Berth

It’s understandable that neither UCLA nor Pepperdine want their fate in the hands of a small selection committee.

Thus the urgency for a victory tonight, the only sure way to earn a berth to the NCAA men’s volleyball Final Four.

The Bruins and Waves play at 7 p.m. at Pepperdine in the championship of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament, with the winner earning an automatic bid to next week’s Final Four.

Pepperdine (22-4), seeded No. 2, and UCLA (26-5), seeded No. 4, split their regular-season series; the Waves won in five games at home and lost in four at UCLA.

The Waves knocked out third-seeded USC in the semifinals and appear to have an at-large bid secured even if they lose to UCLA.

But the company line is recited by all associated with the Pepperdine program: Don’t leave anything to chance.

“We don’t want to rely on somebody’s thoughts,” Pepperdine outside hitter Scott Wong said. “We definitely have to go out and win.”

UCLA defeated No. 8-seeded Loyola Marymount in the semifinals, but the Bruins are leery that a loss to Pepperdine might allow USC (22-5) to snap up the lone at-large bid.

“We should have it [regardless], but do I think so?” wondered UCLA Coach Al Scates. “No. I think USC is lobbying hard for it.”

USC defeated UCLA in five games in the teams’ only head-to-head match.

The Final Four begins Thursday at Fort Wayne, Ind.