IRVINE — The UCSB men’s volleyball team fell to sixth-ranked UC Irvine for the second time this week, 3-0 on the road Friday night on scores of 25-23, 25-22, 25-20.
UCSB falls to 1-4 in Big West play and 5-13 overall, while Irvine is now 3-0 and 13-6.
Nick Amoruso continued his strong showing this week for the Gauchos, leading the team with 14 kills and 16 points, and Ryan Wilcox added 10 kills and 13 points. Dayne Chalmers nine kills and three blocks. Jack Walmer distributed 30 assists.
With heavy hitters Amoruso and Wilcox in the front, UCSB kept the first set tied until the last moment, when Irvine’s hitting allowed them turn the tide to win the set 25-23.
The second frame also saw a tight back-and-forth between the Anteaters and the Gauchos, but a service error, then two kills from the home team left the Gauchos unable to keep up, and Irvine would take the set 25-22.
Although Irvine came out in the third set with a four-point lead, UCSB chipped away at it. However, the Gauchos were unable to regain any sort of momentum as the Anteaters’ hitting proved to be too much, averaging .400, and the frame ended with the home team completing the sweep.
The Gauchos return to Rob Gym next Friday to take on No. 1 Hawaii. First serve will be at 7 p.m.