IRVINE, Calif. (Sept. 24, 2022)— The UC Santa Barbara women's volleyball team (6-6, 2-0) pulled off the reverse-sweep at UC Irvine (8-4, 1-1) Saturday night, giving the Gauchos their fourth-straight win. For the second night in a row UCSB found a way to win a five-setter topping the Anteaters 24-26, 22-25, 25-21, 25-17, 15-13.

On the Stat Sheet

• For the second night in a row Tallulah Froley led the Gauchos offensively and once again tied her career-high with 18 kills. She added a pair of blocks and three digs as well.
• Michelle Ohwobete went for her fifth double-double of the year posting 14 kills and 10 digs to go along with six blocks.
• Tasia Farmer joined them in double-digits with 12 kills and added four blocks as well.
• Niableu Correal set a career-high with nine blocks and added five kills on a .444 clip.
• Macall Peed led the way with 19 digs and and Mehana Ma'a split the setter duties with 26 assists apiece.
• UCSB set a season-high with 17 blocks and outhit UCI .216 to .170.

How it Happened

• UCI got out to hot start and had its best offensive performance in the opening set hitting a .312 clip. The set saw a match-high 11 ties and six lead changes, and looked to be in the Gauchos' favor with the visiting team holding two set-points, but the Anteaters ended on a 4-0 run to take the early lead.
• The two teams traded punches throughout the second set until the Anteaters once again found their rhythm late and closed it out on another quick run to take a commanding 2-0 lead.
• With their backs against the wall the Gauchos planted their feet defensively and held the Anteaters to a .098 clip. UCSB jumped out to a big lead early but UCI battled back to tie it at 19 apiece. From there the Gauchos used a 6-0 run fueled by a medley of blocks and Farmer kills to get on the board and stay alive.
• UCSB outhit UCI .364 to .083 in the fourth frame and held serve well as the Gauchos went on a number of runs to keep the momentum going. The lead stretched to as much as seven as the Anteaters trailed from 3-2 on. Five different Gauchos sent down multiple kills in the set led by Froley with 4.
• The final set was in the host Anteaters' favor early as the Gauchos trailed 10-7 and 13-10, drawing a timeout from Head Coach Nicole Lantagne Welch. Ohwobete made it a two-point game with a sideout kill out of the timeout followed by an 'Eater attack error that made it 13-12. Another UCI miscue tied the match and Farmer gave the Gauchos match point with her final swing of the match. UCI took a hard final swing that sailed just past the end lines as the Gauchos dodged out of its way. It would be challenged by UCI and the call would stand in the Gauchos' favor giving them the reverse sweep. 

Next Up

The Gauchos now return home to The Thunderdome for their Big West home opener with rival Cal Poly this Friday at 7:30 PM. The match will be televised on ESPNU.