UCLA Women's Volleyball Hosts No. 18 Washington and No. 12 Oregon in Home Stand

The UCLA women’s volleyball team begins a critical three-match homestand at Pauley Pavilion to close out its regular season, facing ranked opponents No. 18 Washington and No. 12 Oregon.

According to uclabruins.com, the Bruins host Washington on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. (PT) before welcoming Oregon on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 2 p.m. (PT).

These upcoming matchups test a program in its first season under head coach Matt Werle. While the Bruins currently sit tied for ninth in the Big Ten with a 7-7 conference record, they have already secured a spot in the 2026 Big Ten Volleyball Tournament following a victory over Illinois on Nov. 5.

Marianna Singletary has emerged as a defensive anchor for the Bruins, currently leading the Big Ten in both blocks-per-set (1.48) and total blocks (138). Her performance has placed her fifth nationally in total blocks this season. As the regular season winds down, Singletary is positioned to challenge long-standing program records.

The middle blocker is currently 42 blocks away from the modern-era single-season record of 180, established by Amanda Gil in 2009. Singletary is also within striking distance of Gil’s 2009 mark of 158 block assists. Her ability to disrupt opposing offenses was evident in a recent performance against No. 21 Minnesota, where she recorded 13 kills and 10 blocks.

UCLA Women's Volleyball Hosts No. 18 Washington and No. 12 Oregon in Home Stand

The Bruins’ defensive identity is further bolstered by Kat Lutz, who has averaged 3.84 digs per set since stepping into the starting libero role on Oct. 10. This defensive stability has complemented an offense that relies on several key contributors:

Marianna Singletary: Leading scorer with 3.52 points per set.
Brooke Harwood: Averaging 2.75 points per set on .329 hitting.
Mija Bendziute: Recorded career-high 14 kills in matches against Maryland and Rutgers.
Eliana Urzua: Recently tallied a season-high 17 kills against No. 14 Purdue.

The 2026 season marks a period of transition for UCLA athletics. Matt Werle assumed the head coaching position in February 2026 after serving as the Associate Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator at Kansas. His arrival brought a restructured staff, including the promotion of Stevi Robinson-Trail to Associate Head Coach and the addition of assistant coaches Bryan Dell’Amico and Kylie Miller.

This rebuilding phase is supported by a mix of veteran talent and new arrivals. The current roster includes seven newcomers, consisting of three transfers and four freshmen. This infusion of talent aims to build upon the momentum of the 2025 season, which saw the Bruins return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021.

While the team was picked to finish ninth in the Big Ten preseason poll, the individual accolades of returning players suggest a higher ceiling. Both Lola Schumacher and Marianna Singletary earned First Team All-Big Ten honors in 2025, providing a foundation of elite collegiate experience heading into this final stretch of the regular season.

The stakes for this homestand extend beyond the immediate wins and losses. For a team sitting in the middle of the conference standings, performing against ranked opponents like Washington and Oregon is essential for establishing momentum and seeding heading into the Big Ten Tournament. The Bruins have shown they can compete with the elite, having previously secured a ranked win against No. 15 Penn State earlier this season.

Fans can watch the matches via streaming on B1G+, with live statistics available at ucla.statbroadcast.com.

Washington arrives in Los Angeles for the Thursday morning contest at 11 a.m. (PT).