PALO ALTO, Calif. (Jan 13, 2023) – The No. 10 UC Santa Barbara Men's Volleyball team (1-3) is back in action as the Gauchos traveled North to take on the No. 8 Stanford University Cardinal. Despite the Gauchos scoring the first points of the match, UC Santa Barbara were not able to come out with the win, dropping three sets to the Cardinal (25-16, 26-24. 25-18).

HOW IT HAPPENED
UC Santa Barbara came out strong, winning the first three points of the set with back-to-back kills from Ryan Wilcox. However, the Cardinal went on a five-point service run to tie up the game. From there, both teams struggled at the service line before Stanford ran away with it. The Cardinal took the first set 25-16.

Once the second set began, the Gauchos started fighting back. These Top 10 teams went back and forth throughout the entirety of this set. It resulted in the second set going into extra points, with the Gauchos earning set point in that time. However, they were unable to close out the final set, losing 26-24.

The third set started similarly to the first as the Gauchos took an early lead after another missed serve by the Cardinal. Once the teams made it halfway through this set, Stanford pulled ahead. Once they took a lead, the Gauchos could not come back. UC Santa Barbara lost in the third and final set 25-18.

LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS

• Wilcox led the offense for the Gauchos. The senior grabbed 13 kills while also adding on two blocks.
• Following up behind him was fellow pin hitter Dayne Chalmers. He ended the game with eight kills but only three errors, hitting at a .333 clip. He also contributed two blocks.
• Max Gordon was helped the Gauchos on defense. He led the team in the back row with eight digs.
• Jack Walmer commanded the offense, contributing 28 assists. Not only that, but he had one of the team's two aces. 

WHEREABOUTS
In less than 24 hours, the Gauchos will be back on the court in Palo Alto as they take on the Cardinal for the second time in as many games. First serve will be at 5 p.m. with a live stream available through the Pac-12 Network. Live stats will also be available through Stanford's website.