HONOLULU, Hawai'i – The UC Santa Barbara Women's Volleyball team (23-3) went on their last road trip of the season as the Gauchos took on the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine. It only took three sets to decide who would come out with the win, and tonight, that was the Gauchos with scores of 25-17, 29-27 and 28-26.
 
FROM HEAD COACH MATT JONES
"We are really happy with the execution of the scouting report. Late in the second and third sets, we got away from it. Since we were playing such a good team, they fought back. I am really proud of how the team responded in those situations as it is easy to let those situations get away from you especially in that kind of environment. Both of our setters also did a great job of setting the right people at the right time. Now it's time for us to get some rest and get ready to return to The Thunderdome to take on Long Beach."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first few points went in favor of the Rainbow Wahine, using the home crowd in the Stan Sheriff Center to give them some momentum. However, it wasn't going to hold the Gauchos back. UC Santa Barbara started the first set with a three-point deficit before going on a 7-0 service run with Michelle Ohwobete at the service line. The lead she helped the Gauchos earn gave her team the necessary momentum to take this first set, defeating the Rainbow Wahine 25-17.
 
The second set started the same as the first as Hawai'i came out hot. It took a little bit longer for UC Santa Barbara to battle back, but they got the job done. By the time there was a timeout on the floor, the Gauchos were up by one over the home team. Despite the advantage, the Wahine were not going down. Hawai'i rallied back to take a three-point lead, seeming like the second set was theirs. Even with many fans thinking it was over, the Gauchos knew it wasn't. They came back to close the gap and take this set into extra points, ultimately winning with a score of 29-27 to go up 2-0 in the match.
 
Just like the other two sets, Hawai'i came out on fire in the third set. And just like the other two sets, it didn't hold back the Gauchos as they battled back yet again, closing the five-point deficit. Santa Barbara built on their success, but it was stopped quickly by Hawai'i as they looked to take this match into a fourth set. Despite the home team's best efforts, they couldn't stop the Gauchos as UC Santa Barbara swept Hawai'i, finishing the final set with a score of 28-26.
 
LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS

• No one had an answer tonight for Briana McKnight. She led all players on the court with 14 kills while adding on 10 digs for a double-double and a match-high three aces.
• Macall Peed had a phenomenal night in the back row. In just three sets, she contributed 21 digs, averaging out to seven digs per set, which is 2.5 digs more than her average on the season.
• Ohwobete was also a big part of the team's success. She was second on the team in kills, racking up nine while adding on nine digs and three blocks. Tasia Farmer has also been a big part of the offense since her return from injury. She hit at a .389 clip, securing eight kills and only one error on 18 swings. 

UP NEXT
The Gauchos will return to The Thunderdome for the remainder of the season, kicking this four-match stretch off against another tough opponent in Long Beach State. First serve will be at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 10. A live stream will be available through ESPN+.