The Match Point team joined the UCLA Men’s Volleyball team in Atlanta March 21-27 for a series of youth and coaching clinics and matches against Morehouse College and Fort Valley State University. The trip supported production for the upcoming Match Point documentary sequel that will chronicle the inaugural season for six new men’s volleyball programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), two of which are in Georgia. The new HBCU teams comprise the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, also new to men’s volleyball in 2022. The addition of the SIAC is part of a national effort to increase opportunities for minority athletes.

UCLA traveled to Atlanta in support of a nationwide campaign led by First Point Volleyball Foundation with specific foundational goals to improve men’s collegiate volleyball roster and scholarship opportunities, to increase opportunities for boys to learn the game and develop their skills in club, middle school, and high school programs, and to provide boys from low-income communities the opportunity to play and learn the game. 

Youth and Coaching Clinics

The week kicked off on Tuesday, March 22 with players and coaching clinics at Lakepoint Sports Complex near Atlanta. More than 150 girls and boys, coaches, and parents attended the event during which UCLA coaches and players led drills and shared knowledge about the game. 

School Visits

On Wednesday, March 23, the team visited Howard Middle School – a former high school where Martin Luther King attended – and Hope-Hill Elementary School to expose a new generation to the game. “The kids were great,” said UCLA Head Coach John Speraw. They were enthusiastic, engaged, and curious. Our players were wonderful ambassadors for the sport and UCLA. They are role models who will inspire future generations of volleyball players.”

As the UCLA players began the exhibitions, students screamed with excitement. After watching them play, students at both schools were eager to join the UCLA team on the court. The players took their time to show students how to set, pass and hit. The true joy on the students’ faces brought energy and enthusiasm to the UCLA players. 

Many students asked questions of the players like: “Who is the tallest?” “Who hits the hardest?” “Who is the best player?” “Who is the worst player?” and “Why did you want to play volleyball?” The sessions ended with high-fives and hugs.  

HBCU practices

“Go Tigers!” is splashed high above the court at Forbes Arena, a gym that is decked out in Morehouse’s classic maroon colors. Morehouse hosted the Bruins’ staff and team several times leading up to a match between the two teams on Friday, with both using the space to practice throughout the week. On March 23, Speraw and UCLA Assistant Coach John Hawks headed back to Forbes Arena to lead a practice for the Morehouse men’s volleyball team with Morehouse head coach Emory Lightfoot. For senior Collin Cecepcion, a Los Angeles native who in high school remembers watching and studying Speraw, it was an exciting full-circle moment. “To be able to be taught by him is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be taught by an LA legend,” Cecepcion said.

The next day, UCLA headed south of Atlanta for a joint practice with Fort Valley State University. “I love giving back to the game that’s given me so much,” Speraw said about leading practices with both Morehouse and Fort Valley State players. 

HBCU matches

After the Morehouse match, Speraw applauded the players, Morehouse staff and crowd. “Morehouse didn’t win tonight, but I look forward to the day they win their first match on this court,” he said. It will be a great day for all of us, a great day for Morehouse, and a great day for volleyball.” 

Although Morehouse lost the match, they still made a number of plays that erupted the crowd in excitement. Early in the first set, Cecepcion blocked UCLA hitters for a point that wowed fans.. UCLA won the match 25-8, 25-9, and 25-5. On Saturday, March 26, UCLA played at Fort Valley State and won 25-8, 25-10, 25-11…