IRVINE, Calif. - The No. 19 UC Santa Barbara Men's Volleyball team (7-13) took to the road Wednesday night in a matchup against No. 5 UC Irvine. The midweek, Big West battle resulted in a UC Irvine sweep of the Gauchos.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gauchos and Anteaters traded points throughout the opening part of the first set. After going up 8-6, UC Irvine responded with a 7-0 run to take a 13-8 lead over the Gauchos. UC Santa Barbara battled back but could not regain the lead. The Anteaters claimed the final six points to win the first set 25-14 over the Gauchos.

UC Irvine carried that momentum into the second set starting the match on a 5-1 run. As the set continued the Gauchos hung around with the Anteaters and were able to tie the game late in the set after a three point run. Sam Collins and Geste Bianchi recorded back-to-back kills to tie the set at 20 a side. After Irvine rattled off two straight points to go up 23-21, Ben Coordt pulled the Gauchos within one. Unfortunately Irvine finished off the set with a 25-22 win.

Again the Anteaters got out to an early lead and didn't look back. The Gauchos tried to fight their way back in but could not tie or take the lead. The Anteaters grew their lead to as much as seven late in the contest before the Gauchos rattled off three straight points. Josh Aruya earned two kills on the run, but it was too little too late as the next point was match point for UC Irvine. 

LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS

• Geste Bianchi was the lone Gauchos to finish with double-digit kills, earning 13 in the match.
• For the fifth straight match Jack Walker recorded 20 or more assists in a game.
• Josh Aruya had a great night earning five kills in nine attempts.

UP NEXT
The Gauchos will have a day off before hosting UC Irvine in The Thunderdome on Friday, March 15. The match is set to begin at 6 p.m. For those unable to attend in person the match will be streamed through ESPN+ with live stats available.