The UC Santa Barbara Men’s Volleyball team (8-16) returned home as they took on the No. 19 UC San Diego Tritons. It took all five sets to figure out who was leaving Rob Gymnasium with the win.
After a hard-fought battle, it was UC Santa Barbara who broke their six-match losing streak and came out with the win with scores of 22-25, 25-20, 25-18, 18 25 and 15-9.
It was a slow start for the Gauchos as they could not get in a rhythm at the start of the first set. This resulted in a six-point deficit in just the first 10 points.
This trend continued throughout the remainder of the first set until the score was at 20-10 in favor of the visitors.
UC Santa Barbara chiseled away at the Tritons’ lead, fighting back to get within two of the Tritons. However, UC San Diego finished out the set on top with a score of 25-22.
From there, it was a gritty battle between these two teams. Every time one team would get a lead, the other would battle right back.
This resulted in the score being tied nine times in this set. By the end, it was UC Santa Barbara who pulled out the win as they wrapped up the second set with a score of 25-20.
The third set started in favor of the Gauchos as they came out strong right from the start.
With the help of Geste Bianchi and his nine kills in this set alone, UC Santa Barbara built a lead that they never let up on as they took down the Tritons 25-18 to go up 2-1 in the match.
There were a lot of missed serves to begin the fourth set, but once UC San Diego got control from the back line, they were the ones to take the first lead.
Once they grabbed it, the Tritons never let up that lead as they took the fourth set 25-18 as this match headed into a fifth set.
When the fifth set started, it was a back-and-forth battle between these two tough teams. They exchanged the lead numerous times before a team could pull ahead.
That team was UC Santa Barbara. Ben Coordt picked up the offense in this set as he helped the Gauchos close out this fifth and final set with a score of 15-9.
Geste Bianchi had another phenomenal night, ending his 11th-straight match with double-digit kills while earning his third double-double of the year.
He ended the match with 23 kills while adding on 13 digs. Not only that, but he also contributed two aces and a block.
Jack Walmer also contributed a double-double on the night. He secured 45 assists to go along with 10 digs. As if that wasn’t enough, he also notched an ace and a block.
Jaden Glenn’s defensive efforts shined in the back row tonight for the Gauchos. He led all players on the court in digs with 18.
Sam Meister’s offensive efforts can’t go unnoticed. He finished the night hitting at a .400 clip with five kills and only one error on 10 swings. Along with that, he led the team in aces with three while adding on two blocks.
Owen Loncar’s efforts for the Gauchos shined through. He hit at a .385 clip with seven kills and two errors on 13 swings. He also secured two blocks and two aces.
Ben Coordt had his second-straight match with double-digit kills as he contributed 13 on the night.
The Gauchos will play their final home match of the season in The Thunderdome on Friday, April 12 at 6 p.m.
UC Santa Barbara will honor their seven seniors in Jaden Glenn, Rees Barnett, Reece Francke, Dain Johnson, Dominic Lang, Andrew Reavis and Sam Collins before the match. For those who can’t make it to The Thunderdome, they can watch from home on ESPN+.