HONOLULU, Hawai'i – The No. 20 UC Santa Barbara Men's Volleyball team (7-16) played their final match of this series against the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors. The Gauchos brought their all to the Stan Sheriff Center tonight, but at the end of the five sets, it was the Rainbow Warriors who came out with the win as UC Santa Barbara lost 2-3 with scores of 21-25, 24-26, 25-23, 25-21 and 12-15.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Just like last night, the Gauchos and the Rainbow Warriors put on a show for those at Simplifi Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center. These two teams tied the score five times in this first set alone before a team could pull ahead, and that team was UC Santa Barbara. The Gauchos went up by four thanks to errors by the Rainbow Warriors and a kill from Ben Coordt as the Blue and Gold sent this first set into a timeout. However, this tough Hawai'i team came back quickly, going on a four-point run to regain control of this set. Even though the Gauchos tried to make a comeback, Hawai'i would not allow it as UC Santa Barbara dropped the first set 25-21.
 
From there, the Rainbow Warriors picked up where they left off, but it didn't last for long. The Gauchos closed the small gap between them and Hawai'i quickly, not letting their opponent pull too far ahead. This went on throughout most of the second set as they sparred with one another for the second-straight night. After tying things up 20 times during this set, it ultimately ended in favor of the Rainbow Warriors as the Gauchos couldn't pull this one out in extra points as they lost this set 26-24.
 
With the match on the line, the Gauchos needed to battle back. They did just that here in the third set. UC Santa Barbara had a strong start that continued throughout most of the set thanks to Geste Bianchi's nine kills and the Gauchos' grittiness. The Rainbow Warriors tried to regain control, but the Blue and Gold wasn't having it as UC Santa Barbara took the third set 25-23.
 
Unlike the third set, it was Hawai'i who came out swinging in the fourth. They went up by four points early on that made it difficult for the Gauchos to make a comeback. However, UC Santa Barbara made that happen. They rallied back to tie the fourth set at 11-11, causing the Rainbow Warriors to burn a timeout early. This shifted the momentum to the Gauchos as they continued with their 10-2 run to grab the lead and then some. By the time Hawai'i started to chisel away at the lead, it was too late as UC Santa Barbara secured the fourth set 25-21, taking this match into an extra set.
 
When both teams came out for the fifth set, it turned into yet another chippy battle as neither team would let the other pull ahead by much. However, one three-point run early on gave Hawai'i the cushion they needed. Although the Gauchos fought back to get within one, their efforts weren't enough as the Rainbow Warriors won the fifth and final set 15-12.
 
LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS

• Geste Bianchi led all players on the court in kills yet again as he finished the night with 32, his new career-high. To go along with that, he added on eight digs, two blocks and an ace.
• Ben Coordt was the other key to the team's offense tonight. He ended his time in Honolulu with 16 kills while only making three errors on 39 swings, resulting in an impressive .333 hitting percentage. He also contributed nine digs, two blocks and an ace.
• On defense, Jaden Glenn, Josh Aruya and Patrick Kane led the charge. Glenn locked down the back row defense as the only Gaucho to earn double-digit digs as he contributed 10. In the front row, Aruya and Kane were tied for the most blocks on the team as they each secured three on the night.
• Jack Walmer had a great showing as well. The former Rainbow Warrior wrapped up the night with 49 assists. He also helped the team's defensive efforts with seven digs and two blocks. 

UP NEXT
The Gauchos will return to Rob Gymnasium for the second leg of their series against UC San Diego. First serve will be at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 5. For those who can't make it to Santa Barbara, they can watch on ESPN+.