The UCSB men opened with a first-set win, but the 10th-ranked BYU Cougars swept from there to take a 3-1 win over the visiting Gauchos Friday on scores of 22-25, 25-19, 25-23, 25-20.
UCSB started strong in the first game, with two straight kills from sophomore opposite Rees Barnett. Making his first start of the season, Barnett ended up leading the Gauchos with 19 kills and adding 11 digs for a double-double.
UCSB kept the early lead throughout the first set on the way to the 25-22 win.
The Cougars came out in the second set with a vengeance, three 3-point service runs. The led comfortably throughout and won the set 25-19.
The third set was closely contested the whole way, neither team gaining more than a point advantage until the very end, when a three-point service run made the difference for BYU in the 25-23 win.
The Cougars then parlayed that momentum in the fourth, taking an early lead and winning 25-20.
Senior outside hitter Ryan Wilcox had 13 kills on a .308 hitting percentage, and added eight digs.
Setter Jack Walmer distributed 42 assists for the Gauchos, and helped the team on defense with five digs and two blocks.
UCSB, now 2-8 on the season, face the Cougars again Saturday evening in Provo, starting at 6 p.m. PST.