SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara Women’s Volleyball team hosted Cal Poly Thursday night for the first half of a two-match week against the Mustangs.
In the first showdown of the Blue-Green Rivalry this season, the Mustangs came out on top, winning 3-0 and moving to 9-0 in 2026 Big West Play.
Cal Poly was strong from the start, coming up with an 11-4 initial lead. Santa Barbara fought its way back to land just two points behind at 14-16, with Avery Gibbs providing a team-best three kills in the Gaucho comeback.
The Gauchos stayed tight through 16-18, but Cal Poly began to widen the gap. The Mustangs made seven points to the Gauchos’ three, ending the set six points ahead at 25-19.
The second set was also favored towards the Mustangs. Cal Poly had a drastic 17-4 lead before the Gauchos embarked on their comeback. After Cal Poly reached 20 points, the Gauchos made eight more to bring themselves into double digits. The Mustangs took the set 25-13.
The third and final began the stronger for Santa Barbara, with the Gauchos staying tied through 12-12. Five kills from Gabi Martinez and around-the-court action from Auburn Tomkinson brought the Gauchos the most level playing field yet.
But the second half of the set saw the momentum swing back towards the Mustangs. They made nine of the next ten points and put themselves ahead 21-13. The Gauchos placed a couple more points, but the Mustangs took it 25-17.
Gabi Martinez reached 10 kills to lead the Gaucho offense and hit a team-high .200, while Cortni Youngblood led the team in digs at six. Auburn Tomkinson and Ava Zamora administered two service aces, while Milan Rex reached double-digit assists with 20.
The Gauchos rematch the Mustangs in San Luis Obispo on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 7:00 p.m.