LOS ANGELES – Lewis University's men's volleyball team bounced back from its loss on Friday in resounding fashion sweeping second ranked UCLA to pull the upset at the John Wooden Center in Los Angeles on Saturday evening. It's the third time the Flyers have beaten the Bruins in 21 tries, first ever win at UCLA and the first win over the Bruins since 2009. Lewis moves to 5-2 on the season while UCLA drops to 4-1.

The Flyers used an 8-5 run early in the opening set to break a 5-5 tie and took a 13-10 lead on a kill from Tyler Mitchem (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook HS). The Bruins answered the run scoring four of the next five points to even the set at 14 after an attack error from Kevin Kauling (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley).

Lewis wouldn't trail the rest of the set going on an 8-3 run to build its largest lead of the stanza at 22-17 when Mitchem blocked Merrick McHenry at the net. UCLA made a late run to cut the Flyer lead to 23-21 after a kill from Kevin Kobrine but Lewis was able to serve out the set getting back-to-back kills from Jason Gibbs (Bellaire, Texas/Bellarie) and Kauling to take the opening frame 25-21.

The Flyers fell behind early in the middle set before scoring five straight points to take a lead they wouldn't relinquish. The Bruins battled back to within 8-7 but that would be the closest they got as Lewis went on a 7-1 run to build its largest lead of the stanza at 15-8 after a kill from Michael Sack (Oak Lawn, Ill./St. Laurence).

UCLA cut the deficit to 22-19 on a service ace from Marcus Partain but the Flyers held off the late rally scoring three of the final four points to win the set 25-20 and take the commanding 2-0 lead.
The final stanza saw nine ties and three lead changes along the way. The Bruins opened the set scoring the first three points but Lewis was able to come back and even things at seven on a kill from Kauling. UCLA scored four of the next six points to take an 11-9 lead after Ian Parish and Grant Sloane teamed up to block Mitchem.

The Flyers still trailed by two late in the set at 20-18 after a kill from Kobrine but it would be the last time they trailed in the match as they went on a 6-1 run to take a 24-21 lead as Gibbs had three kills and an assist in the set deciding run. Lewis held three match points but the Bruins were able to stave off two of them to cut the Flyer lead to 24-23 after a kill from Ido David forced Lewis to take its final timeout of the set.

The Flyers wouldn't allow UCLA to even the set as Sack ended the match with his sixth kill to give Lewis the 25-23 victory and complete the sweep.

The Flyers hit .333 in the contest recording 40 kills against 12 errors in 84 chances and were led by Gibbs with 10 kills while Kauling and Cole Brillhart (York, Pa./Northeastern) had eight kills each. Tyler Morgan (Dike, Iowa/New Hartford) had 17 assists and four blocks, Mitchem added four blocks as well and Gibbs had a match-high nine digs.

The Bruins were held to a .210 hitting percentage with 40 kills against 19 errors in 100 chances and were led by David and Alex Knight with nine kills apiece. Miles Partain had 17 assists, McHenry finished with five blocks and Kobrine added six digs.

Lewis returns home next Friday (Feb. 4) to take on Central State at 7 p.m. at Neil Carey Arena. Friday's match begins a four-game homestand for the Flyers.