COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL REPORT: HEALTHY UCLA IS ON THE MOVE : BRUINS SHAKE INJURY BUG, LOOK TOWARD PLAYOFF BERTH.

Byline: Lee Barnathan Daily News Staff Writer

The UCLA men's volleyball team doesn't usually suffer this many injuries or defeats. You have to be healthy to win, and the Bruins haven't been.

That's OK to coach Al Scates.

``The season doesn't start until the 24th of April,'' he said.

Scates referred to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament which begins that night. The champion advances to the NCAA Final Four on May 6 and 8 at Pauley Pavilion. So, usually, does the runner-up.

Scates expects his team to be there.

``We'll have the last two (matches) at home,'' he said with a laugh.

Never underestimate the UCLA coach, who exudes confidence and now has a reason to because his team is as healthy has it has been since January.

Just in time, too. The Bruins (17-6, 11-5) travel to Pepperdine (18-3, 13-3) tonight with only opposite hitter Evan Thatcher and outside hitter Matt Komer ill or injured. Thatcher has an ankle sprain but will play tonight, Scates said. Komer has mononucleosis.

That's nothing for the Bruins. Middle blocker Adam Naeve's sprained ankle was worse - it contributed to a loss to UC Irvine when he got hurt and losses at Brigham Young when he didn't play. So did setter Brandon Taliaferro's stomach parasite. He needed intravenous fluids during the last Pepperdine match - also a UCLA loss.

Outside hitter Fred Robins had the flu, then passed it on to his roommate, middle blocker Danny Farmer, who started the season with a heel injury from football. Outside hitter Mark Williams needed stitches in his ear after getting in an off-campus fight. Later, the stitches didn't hold.

They're all healthy now, which benefits UCLA. After Pepperdine (in which a Bruins victory would clinch a playoff berth), come matches at Loyola Marymount and home against Stanford, giving the team time to gain some momentum heading into the MPSF tourney.

``We're a good team when we're healthy,'' Scates said.

In other words, look out.

A look at the other area programs:

Pepperdine: The Waves are one of three teams (BYU and Long Beach State are the others) who have qualified for the eight-team MPSF tournament and will host a first-round match. After UCLA comes home matches with Irvine on Saturday and Loyola on April 17.

Pepperdine is 9-0 at home this season and has won its past 11 home matches. George Roumain, last year's national Player of the Year, overcame early-season ligament damage to a thumb and has 557 kills this season and a school-best 2,327 for his career. Scott Wong is second with 359 kills.

USC (12-9, 8-7): This is the key week for the Trojans, who face three of the conference's doormats this week. They won at UC San Diego on Tuesday and faced San Diego State on Wednesday before taking on Cal State Northridge on Saturday. These three matches are must-wins for the Trojans, who are fighting for a playoff spot and still have to go to Hawaii.

``The most important thing for us,'' USC coach Pat Powers said, ``they aren't top-rated teams, but it's how we're playing. The outside hitters need to step it up.''

One of those hitters, Harvard-Westlake graduate Trevor Julian, is among the team leaders with 171 kills and 100 digs. The middle has been USC's strength, with Brook Billings leading with 425 kills and 66 blocks.

CSUN (2-19, 1-15): Coach Jeff Campbell knew this would be a rebuilding year, but he thought the Matadors could finish closer to its 10-14 record of last season. Instead, CSUN has set a school record with 11 straight losses. They also lost to Division III La Verne for the first time.

``We have more talent than last year but less experience,'' Campbell said. ``Plus, the conference this year is as good as it's ever been.''

For now, Northridge must be content playing spoiler. It hosted BYU on Wednesday before meeting USC.

Plus, players are moving up the school record charts. Eckhard Walter, althoughjust a freshman, is eighth all-time with 34 aces thIis season. He needs two to pass Chad Strickland and three to pass current assistant Pete Piexoto.

Sophomore setter John Baxter has 2,313 assists, placing him fourth all-time. He needs 111 to pass Tom Ribarich (1986-89).

``It's frustrating we're losing,'' Campbell said. ``If you look at this team, in terms of how good we could be, it's exciting. The bummer is we have to go through this. We're sick of losing.''

KEY REMAINING MATCHES

Tonight: UCLA at Pepperdine, 7 p.m.

Saturday: USC at CSUN 7 p.m.; UC Irvine at Pepperdine, 7 p.m.

April 16: USC at Hawaii

April 17: USC at Hawaii

CAPTION(S):

Box

BOX: KEY REMAINING MATCHES (see text)