FULLERTON, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara Women’s Volleyball Team continued their away weekend in Orange County, playing Cal State Fullerton on Saturday and losing to the Titans 3-2. 

Despite the loss, Gabi Martinez had the best offensive match of her career, as she achieved her all-time kill record with 28. The total is also tied for the most kills in the conference this season. 

Cal State Fullerton’s win marks their first over the Gauchos since 2012 and their first conference win of the season. 

“I expect this weekend will be a big one when we look back at the season,” UCSB head coach Michael Henchy said. “We left opportunities unturned this week and while the pain of regret is strong currently, we have full control over what we do next.

“We have the chance to do something great and we won’t let that pass us by without a fight.”

Santa Barbara emerged victorious in the first, pulling it out 28-26. Fullerton led slightly at 8-5, but the Gauchos came to tie it at 8-8 and 11-11. The Titans then moved in front to reach 20 first at 20-16.

But, six points in a row from the Gauchos gave them the lead at 22-21. Ties ensued at 23-23 and 24-24, but a solo block by Sandrea Thomas and ace from Martinez gave the Gauchos the first. 

UC Santa Barbara also took the second, stealing it 25-19. The Gauchos led until 8-8, but the Titans overcame them to lead at 13-10. The Gauchos tied it at 15-15, then made six straight points to see 21-15. A kill from Sophia Wendlick finished the set at 25 to give the Gauchos a 2-0 start. 

Fullerton flipped the score in the third, winning 25-19. It was tied through 10-10, then Fullerton moved ahead. They led through the teens to make it 20-17, and while the Gauchos made a couple more points back, the Titans took the remaining five points for the win.

The fourth set also went to the Titans, who once again won it 25-19. Fullerton led for the entirety of the set, especially establishing a gap through the teens and making it first to 20 at 20-12. The Gauchos recovered some ground, but the Titans would finish first. 

The Titans finalized their reverse sweep with a 15-13 win of the fifth. The final was tied 6-6, after which the Gauchos gained some traction. They made it multiple points ahead at 10-7, reaching for the comeback. Then, though the Gauchos were up 13-10, Fullerton shot five straight points and took the match. 

Despite the final set scores, the Gauchos produced impressive statistics. Martinez hit .272 with her shocking 28 kills and sent four aces. Avery Gibbs also hit her career-high kill count with seven and assists with two. Emma McDermott gave two assists for a career high as well. Sandrea Thomas nailed 10 kills for her all-time best and hit a stunning .529. 

Milan Rex and Ava Zamora popped 27 and 26 assists, respectively, and the Gauchos made 15 more than the Titans. The Gauchos also out-killed them 74 to 57. Sophia Wendlick delivered 11 kills, while Emma McDermott lasered ten for her second double-digit count of the season. 

Zamora and Cortni Youngblood both picked up 15 digs, while Bianca Nistor followed up with nine. Zamora cleared her previous season-high by six, and Youngblood made double-digit digs for the 15th time this season.

The Gauchos return home to host UC Riverside on Friday, Oct. 16 and California Baptist on Saturday, Oct. 17.