SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The No. 14 UC Santa Barbara Men's Volleyball team (2-1) is back in Rob Gymnasium this weekend as the Gauchos take on the No. 8 Stanford University Cardinal on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 12 and 13. The last time these two teams faced each other was in Palo Alto last season, where the Cardinal won a five-setter and a three-setter over the Blue and Gold.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Gauchos kicked off the season with the Asics Invitational that they host in Rob Gymnasium each season. Throughout the three-day tournament, UC Santa Barbara faced NJIT, No. 20 George Mason and No. 7 Grand Canyon. The Gauchos came out of the weekend 2-1, defeating the Highlanders in four sets, reverse-sweeping the Patriots, and losing to the Lopes in four.
 
IN THE STANDINGS
Currently, UC Santa Barbara is ranked 14th in the AVCA's Coaches Poll after starting the season off in 15th. In The Big West, who has all six teams featured in the national rankings, the Gauchos are currently tied for first with Hawai'i, who is also 2-1 at this point in the season.
 
When looking at the NCAA's statistical rankings, Geste Bianchi is currently the best offensive player in the nation. He ranks No. 1 in kills per set, averaging 5.00 per set. Along with that, the team ranks 12th in this same category as the Gauchos contribute 12.31 kills per set. 
 
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Bianchi had a stellar opening weekend for UC Santa Barbara, which earned him Big West Offensive Player of the Week honors. He averaged 5.67 points per set, garnering 21 kills against NJIT and a career-high 30 kills against George Mason.
 
WHEREABOUTS
Both of these matches will take place in Rob Gymnasium on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 12 and 13. Friday night's match will begin at 6 p.m. while Saturday night's match will begin at 5 p.m. For fans who can't make it to Santa Barbara, they can watch at home on ESPN+.