SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The UC Santa Barbara Women's Volleyball team wrapped up their home schedule and sent their seniors smiling with a 3-1 win over Cal State Fullerton on Saturday night.

FROM HEAD COACH MATT JONES
"We didn't execute how we wanted in the first set, but then we were able to clean things up about halfway through the second set and it was smooth sailing from there," said Jones. "Credit our team for rallying and sticking together after that first set."

HOW IT HAPPENED
The opening set was a back and forth affair with neither side gaining an more than a two point lead early on. Out of the media timeout, with the Gauchos leading 15-13, Cal State Fullerton rattled off three straight points to gain a 16-15 edge. The teams continued to battle and found themselves tied at 22. The Titans again earned three straight points to win the first set 25-22.

The second set was a lot like the first with neither side gaining an edge. After going down 12-11, Grace McIntosh recorded two straight aces to take the lead. A block by Grace Wuischpard and Layanna Green forced Fullerton to take a timeout at the Gauchos stormed back in front. The Blue and Gold maintained the three point lead and eventually built it up to five after Andi Kreiling recorded a kill and also helped out on a block with Emma McDermott forcing the Titans to take their last timeout. Eva Travis polished off the 25-17 set win for the Gauchos with a kill.

The Gauchos started the third set strong going on a 6-1 run, highlighted by two aces from Harper Hall. UC Santa Barbara found their stride and built their lead up to 16-5 forcing Cal State Fullerton to take their final timeout of the set. Santa Barbara cruised to a third set victory with a final score of 25-13.

The fourth set began like the first and second with both teams trading points. After a kill by Eva Travis to make it 14-11 in favor of the Gauchos, the Blue and Gold took complete control of the match. Santa Barbara ended up going on a 11-3 scoring run to close out the match and defeat the Titans.

POSTSEASON IMPLICATIONS
With the win the Gauchos moved into a tie for fifth place in the standings with Long Beach State. The Gauchos do hold the tie breaker over The Beach that would give them the fifth seed. If UC San Diego losses to Hawai'i tonight the Gauchos, Tritons and Beach would all be tied for fourth and Santa Barbara holds the tiebreaker over both teams.

UP NEXT
The Gauchos will hit the road next Thursday, Nov. 21 as they travel to Davis, California to take on UC Davis. First serve is set for 6 p.m. For those unable to attend in person the match will be streamed through ESPN+.