SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (March 30, 2023) – The UC Santa Barbara Men's Volleyball team (5-13, 1-4 Big West) will be back in Rob Gymnasium this weekend as the Gauchos take on the Rainbow Warriors of No. 1 Hawai'i. The last time these two teams faced each other was in Honolulu during the 2022 season, when the Gauchos lost in five sets to the Rainbow Warriors. 

UC Santa Barbara played their last series against UC Irvine on March 16 and 17, playing the first game at home in Rob Gym and the second game in the Bren Center in Irvine. The Gauchos dropped a five-setter to the Anteaters in Santa Barbara before getting swept in Irvine the next evening. Currently, the Gauchos are No. 1 in The Big West in digs per set and team attacks per set while ranking in the Top 12 in the NCAA in both categories.

Hawai'i comes into this match after winning their last three games. The Rainbow Warriors only lost two games this season, dropping one four-setter to Penn State before getting swept by Long Beach State. This is one of the best teams in the country statistically, ranking No. 1 in the NCAA in assists and kills per set while sitting in second in hitting percentage. The Rainbow Warriors have Jakob Thelle, who is No. 1 in the NCAA in assists per set averaging 10.62 a game.

First serve on Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1, will both be at 7 p.m. Fans in attendance on Friday will have the chance to receive a rally towel while supplies last. For those who cannot make it to Rob Gym, a live stream will be available through ESPN+ with live stats available at ucsbgauchos.com.