LONG BEACH, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara Women’s Volleyball team continued conference play Friday night at Long Beach State, where they were defeated 3-1 by the Beach.
The Gauchos will rematch the Beach at home on Saturday, Nov. 7.
The Gauchos began well, taking the set 25-23. The Beach held the initial lead at 9-6, but Santa Barbara tied it up at 10-10 with a solo block from Gabi Martinez.
Multiple kills got the Gauchos the lead at 14-11, then Martinez laid an ace to make it a five-point lead at 16-11. Santa Barbara made it eight points at 21-13 after a five-point run. Long Beach State made up the deficit, coming back ten points, but the Gauchos stayed on top.
Long Beach State came back in the remaining three, first taking the second set 25-18. The match was tied slightly at 7-7, after which Long Beach came up 13-8. They kept pushing and reached 19-13, then wrapped up with another six points at 25-18.
The Beach carried on, wrapping up the third set 25-19. The Gauchos stayed initially close, trailing just two through 11-9 and again at 14-12. The hosts then climbed the score, making it 19-14 then 22-17. The Gauchos made two points back, but the set went to the Beach.
Long Beach State claimed the match after the fourth, after clinching the set 25-18. The Beach was up to a larger lead, heading it off at 10-5. They kept the gap for the rest of the set before widening it at the end to finish seven points ahead.
Martinez got a double-double with 13 kills and 13 digs, all while hitting .391. Sophia Wendlick reached double-digit kills again with 11, while Milan Rex had 19 assists.
Bella Mathis and Sandrea Thomas were forces in the middle, making five and six kills and hitting .375 collectively. Mathis also put up four blocks, and Cortni Youngblood picked up double-digit 12 digs.
The Gauchos take on Cal State Fullerton in Titan Gym on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.