Top-seeded UCLA survived in a five-set thriller over UC Irvine in the NCAA semifinals Thursday at Long Beach’s Walter Pyramid, pulling away late in the fifth set to advance to the national championship game. The Bruins, who won 22-25, 25-20, 25-16, 18-25, 15-12, will try to defend their national championship on Saturday at 2 p.m. against No. 2 seed Long Beach State or No. 3 Grand Canyon.
Outside hitter Ethan Champlin led the Bruins (25-5) with 19 kills and 13 digs, scoring the match-winning kill off a three-man UC Irvine block. He outdueled UC Irvine star Hilir Henno, who had 22 kills, nine digs and an ace one day after he was named AVCA collegiate national player of the year.