VOLLEYBALL FLASHBACK / FLASH FORWARD
The 1970s & 2014 • Sinjin & Hagen Smith —————————
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: Sinjin Smith set the standard for UCLA in the 1970s; Hagen Smith delivers for the Bruins in 2014.
ersey number 22 for the UCLA men’s volleyball team has some impressive history – and apparently quite a future. Sinjin Smith wore the number when he helped the Bruins win two national titles (1976, 1979), playing both an outside hitter and setter role for then head coach Al Scates. Fast forward 35 years to the 2014 UCLA team and freshman Ha- gen Smith, who has emerged to play a key role in the Bruins’ quest for a record 20th title. There is added pressure being the son of one of UCLA’s all-time great players and one of the top beach players of any generation, but Hagen seems up to the challenge. He always wanted to be a Bruin so when he arrived in Westwood he asked for his father’s old number, which was hanging in the rafters in Pauley Pavilion. Number 22 was promptly unretired with Sinjin’s blessing and so far Hagen has made the most of his chances. After spending the early part of the season on the bench, Hagen got his chance when starting setter Steve O’Dell was sidelined with a foot injury. He got the attention of Coach John Speraw in the second set of a match at Long Beach State when he rallied the Bruins in a losing effort. He started the next three matches in late
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February that resulted in victories over Cal State Northridge, Pacifi c and Stanford.
“As a parent you are always nervous for your kid,” Sinjin said. “I knew he was a very good player and had a great head, so he could be right there in the mix at UCLA. At 6-1 you’re always a little worried about the blocking, but he’s surprised me with how well he jumps. I thought I used to jump well, but he jumps better.” Speraw has been pleased with Hagen’s early impact on the pro- gram. “We recruited Hagen as a libero, but his senior year in high school he was primarily an outside hitter,” Speraw said. “He was one of those volleyball players who was good at everything but you weren’t sure if he was going to be exceptional enough at one posi- tion to be on the fl oor all the time. He has found his home at setter and his leadership ability has been impressive. He is a freshman, but doesn’t carry himself like one.”
Hagen was named after legendary beach player and UCLA star
Ron Von Hagen, who remains close with the Smith family. “Ron keeps track of Hagen and all the boys,” Sinjin said. “He also re- mains a big supporter of UCLA.”
PHOTOS: UCLA
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