No. 3 UC Santa Barbara topped No. 12 UCLA for the second time this season Tuesday night, defeating the Bruins 3-1 (23-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-20). in Robertson Gym.
The Gauchos (13-2) have now won seven straight, which is the longest streak of the season. UCLA fell to 8-9 on the year.
UCLA edged out the Gauchos in the first set, but UCSB would storm back to take the final three straight behind another career performance from senior outside hitter Randy DeWeese.
The back-to-back reigning Big West Conference Athlete of the Week had 22 kills on a .364 (22-6-44) attack percentage. He rounded out his performance with an ace, four digs, three block assists, and a pair of solo blocks. He has now posted solos in each of the last three matches.
As a team, the Gauchos outshined the Bruins on the stat sheet, posting a team attack percentage of .267 compared to UCLA’s dismal .057. This was largely thanks to UCSB’s defense that saw an incredible 16 total team blocks and 36 digs.
Senior Setter Casey McGarry posted a double-double with 37 assists to pair with a match-high 12 digs, while also chipping in on three blocks. Sophomore Ryan Wilcox joined DeWeese in double digits, posting 10 kills, and senior Keenan Sanders was a wall at the net notching seven block assists and a solo.
UCSB is set to open conference play at home this Friday against No. 6 UCSD to Rob Gym.