MALIBU, Calif. (Aug. 30, 2023) – The UC Santa Barbara Women's Volleyball team (3-0) is back in action after a successful opening weekend in The Thunderdome. The Gauchos will begin this road trip with a match down the 101 against Pepperdine University before heading farther south for the San Diego State Invitational, where they will play the No. 6 Oregon Ducks and hosts San Diego State.
LAST TIME OUT
The Gauchos hosted The Thunderdome Classic here in Santa Barbara, where they welcomed North Florida, New Mexico State and Denver for three days of competition. UC Santa Barbara finished the weekend with three sweeps as Head Coach
Matt Jones notched his first three career wins. Based on their performances throughout the weekend,
Michelle Ohwobete was named as the Tournament MVP while
Macall Peed and
Andi Kreiling earned spots on the All-Tournament team based on votes from the coaches.
RIDING OUT THE WAVES
Pepperdine started off the season against two tough teams in Kansas and Texas A&M, dropping both matches in three sets. They will play their first home match of the season at the Firestone Fieldhouse before making their way down to San Diego for the San Diego State Invitational.
Isabel Zelaya is the primary setter for the Waves as she put up 50 assists across the two games played. She currently ranks fourth in the West Coast Conference (WCC) in assists per set with 8.33.
The two biggest offensive weapons for the Waves so far this season are seniors Meg Brown and Birdie Hendrickson. Brown, a middle blocker, and Hendrickson, contributing as a pin hitter, have 14 kills apiece to kick off this young season.
On defense, senior Riley Patterson has taken on the role of libero as she leads the team in digs with 20.
The Waves are coached by Scott Wong, who is in his ninth season with the Waves. He currently boasts a 144-89 record to go along with four bids to the NCAA tournament.
TAMING THE DUCKS
The University of Oregon is coming into this tournament ranked sixth in the NCAA following a 3-0 weekend at the Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Classic. They swept all three teams they faced including then-ranked No. 13 San Diego, Northwestern and Hawai'i.
After this strong showing, the Ducks are one of the top teams in the NCAA in multiple stat categories. They are fifth in blocks per set (3.44), 15th in assists per set (13.89), and 16th when it comes to stopping the opponents' attack, as their opponents averaged a .090 hitting percentage. Oregon also leads the Pac-12 in blocks per set and total team blocks.
Sophomore outside hitter Mimi Coyler has been a huge asset for Oregon. She currently is ranked third in the NCAA in points per set (6.33) and fourth in kills per set (5.33). She is able to put up these numbers thanks to setter Hannah Pukis, who is 21st in the NCAA in assists per set, averaging 11.22 per set.
The Ducks are coached by Matt Ulmer, who is in his seventh season with the program. He currently boasts a 116-63 record, leading Oregon to five NCAA appearances.
CONTROLLING THE AZTECS
San Diego State University came back from the Hotel Vance Rose City Showdown in Portland, Ore., with a 1-2 record, taking down Big West foe Cal State Fullerton in four sets while dropping three straight sets to hosts Portland State and Kansas State.
The pin hitters are the biggest assets on offense for San Diego State as sophomore outside hitter Madison Corf leads the team in kills with 27. Along with her, outside hitter Heipua Tautua'a and opposite Taylor Underwood contributed to the offensive efforts with 23 kills each.
On defense, sophomore libero McKenna Douglas has the reins. She leads the team in digs with 39 and is tied for the most receptions with 68. The middle blockers are leading the front row defensive efforts as Elly Schraeder has the most blocks (9) followed by fellow middle Kat Cooper (6).
The Aztecs are coached by Brent Hilliard, who is in his fourth season with the Aztecs. Prior to his time at San Diego State, Hilliard coached at the University of San Diego for 19 seasons as an assistant and interim head coach in 2006 and 2011.
WHEREABOUTS
The first match of the weekend for the Gauchos will take place in Malibu at the Firestone Fieldhouse on Pepperdine's campus. First serve will be at 5 p.m. with fans being able to follow along through ESPN+ and StatBroadcast. For the San Diego State Invitational, fans will only be able to follow along with Friday's 4 p.m. match against the Ducks through StatBroadcast, while being able to watch the Gauchos take on the Aztecs on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. through the Mountain West Network.
