RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Oct. 5, 2023) – The UC Santa Barbara Women's Volleyball team (15-2) was back in action on the road, taking on the UC Riverside Highlanders for their first match of this road trip. This one went into extra sets, but it still ended in favor of the Gauchos as UC Santa Barbara left Riverside with a 3-2 win over the Highlanders (25-18, 24-26, 25-20, 21-25, 15-9).
 
FROM HEAD COACH MATT JONES
"Riverside played really well. They exposed a couple things about our team with their scouting report that we need to clean up moving forward. But, of course, I am proud of the team and their resiliency to get the job done on the road."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first set started in favor of the Gauchos as they came out strong on the road. Between Michelle Zhao and Michelle Ohwobete's service runs, the Gauchos jumped ahead. Even though the Highlanders tried to rally back, the Gauchos had all of the momentum, taking the first set 25-18.
 
From there, the Highlanders battled back. Santa Barbara started off with a service run by Grace Wuischpard before UC Riverside came back with their own six-point run to take the lead. These two teams exchanged points and the lead until the very end. The Highlanders were the ones who put together two points in a row, giving UC Riverside the 26-24 win in the second set.
 
The third set began in favor of the Highlanders as they pulled ahead by five early on. However, that didn't stop the Gauchos. They battled back into this third set, tying this set up at 13's before pulling ahead on an 8-1 run, again led by Zhao and Ohwobete from the service line while Briana McKnight put up six kills in this set alone. This gave Santa Barbara everything they needed to take the third set 25-20.
 
Just like the second set, the Highlanders were ready to bounce back. UC Riverside came out on fire, taking a small, early lead over the visiting team. Despite UC Santa Barbara trying to rally back, the best they could do was tie up the set. The Highlanders were the only team to keep the lead in this despite the Gauchos hitting .419 this set. Riverside secured the fourth set 25-21.
 
As this match went into the fifth and final set, the Gauchos lit a new fire under themselves. They went on a 10-2 run in this 15-point set, giving UC Santa Barbara a huge advantage right from the start. Even though the Highlanders closed the gap slightly, they weren't able to rally back. The Gauchos won their fifth-straight Big West match 15-9.
 
LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS

• Setters Grace McIntosh and Zhao did a great job of spreading out the offense as all four pin hitters notched double-digit kills. Ohwobete led the team in kills, contributing 19 with a .366 hitting percentage, while McKnight was close behind her with 18 kills, hitting at a .382 clip. Both opposites Tasia Farmer and Sophie Reavis each added on ­­10 kills each.  
• The efforts of McIntosh and Zhao helped the Gauchos succeed on offense. They both contributed 27 assists each while they both added on two aces each.
• To go along with her dominant offensive performance, McKnight was a force on defense. She finished the night with five blocks while securing 12 digs for her fourth double-double of the season.
• The middles put up a wall in the front row, not letting too much past them. Wuischpard racked up the most blocks on the team with eight while Andi Kreiling added on five.
• When the balls made it through the block, Macall Peed was there to pick it up. She finished the night with 26 digs to go along with two aces.

UP NEXT
The Gauchos will spend tomorrow traveling north as they make their way to Davis, California to take on the UC Davis Aggies Saturday, Oct. 7. There will be no live stream for this match, but fans can follow along with the action through live stats.