LA JOLLA, Calif. -For the fourth time in the last seven meetings, the 14th-ranked UC San Diego men's volleyball team upset No. 7 UCLA 30-26, 30-25, 32-34, 30-27 on Saturday night in RIMAC Arena. Jason Spangler served up career ace no. 81, becoming UCSD's all-time leader in that category. Spangler finished the night with 18 kills, while fellow senior Frank Fritsch had a team-high 19 kills, including the match-ending slam. In three meetings this season, the Tritons have defeated the Bruins twice, both coming in conference action. With the win, UCSD improves to 9-18, 5-15 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, while UCLA drops to 15-12, 10-10 MPSF.

The Tritons took the first two sets, before dropping a heartbreaker in the third set by a 34-32 score. UCLA was determined to force a fifth set, but UCSD overcame a late deficit to close out the win.

Fritsch finished the night with 19 kills on .469 hitting while Spangler's 18 kills came on .517 hitting. Adrian Guthals and Calvin Ross added seven kills apiece with no attack errors. Carl Eberts also played well with 11 kills. Andrew Kaban had a team-high nine digs and Phil Bannan finished with 52 assists.

UCLA was led by Garrett Muagututia with 27 kills on .561 hitting. Thomas Amberg added 13 kills for the Bruins.

Both teams hit well as UCSD held a .412 - .350 hitting percentage advantage for the match.

In the first set, UCLA led early at 8-5. The Tritons did not take the lead until 17-16 on a Fritsch kill. With the score tied at 24-24, Ross sent down a kill, followed by a UCLA error to put UCSD up 26-24. UCLA would pull within 28-26, but Eberts sent down a kill and a UCLA error finished the first set at 30-26 UCSD.

The second set would have 14 ties and seven lead changes. The final tie came at 19-19 before two UCLA errors and Spangler's record setting ace, gave UCSD a 22-19 advantage. The Tritons would hold on the rest of the way as Fritsch ended the second set with a kill at 30-25.

The Tritons looked to be headed toward a sweep, leading 18-15. UCLA rallied to take a 23-20 lead and later 26-23. UCSD punched back and took a 30-29 lead after a Guthals kill. Both teams would have opportunities to take the set and UCLA came through with a kill from Muagututia and a Dylan Bowermaster service ace at 34-32.

In the fourth set, there were 18 total ties and seven lead changes. UCSD led early by a 14-11 margin after a Fritsch kill. UCLA went on a run and took an 18-17 lead after a Muagututia kill. The squads would go back and forth with the last tie coming at 27-27. Fritsch sent down to kills during the final points as UCSD posted the 30-27 win.

In the match, there were a total of 54 ties and 21 lead changes.

UCSD is back in action on Wednesday, April 14, when it hosts Cal Baptist with a 6:00 p.m. first serve.