PHOENIX, Ariz. – The #16 UC Santa Barbara Men's Volleyball team (4-0) treks to #10 Grand Canyon (4-0) for a two-match set on Friday and Saturday evenings. As the Gauchos' first road trip of the year, it is also their first test against a ranked opponent.
 
LAST TIME OUT
After a 3-0 start hosting the ASICS Invitational, the Gauchos hosted their first match in the Thunderdome last Friday against Emmanuel (Ga.), winning in three sets. The sweep was bookended by dominant 25-8 and 25-11 first and third sets where Santa Barbara hit .684 and .481, respectively. Per the usual style of head coach Rick McLaughlin, 13 Gauchos appeared in the match, continuing the frequent rotation of players getting time and experience on the court.
 
LOOKING AT THE GAUCHOS
Setter Cole Schobel continues to impress, as evidenced by his 10.50 assists per set—currently ninth in the nation. As a team, UC Santa Barbara ranks second in the category with 13.54 assists per set. Schobel was aggressive against Emmanuel, too, hitting seven kills on just nine swings for a blistering .778 hitting percentage.
 
Despite his 16-match double-digit kills streak being snapped, Geste Bianchi continues to show that last year was no fluke. The senior opposite's 5.00 kills per set is currently second in the country, behind only Big West compatriot Jalen Phillips of CSUN (5.47). Bianchi's contributions have spearheaded the Gauchos' 14.92 kills per set, the best in the nation.
 
Owen Birg deserves a lot of praise. Listed as a pin hitter, the junior has shined while filling a hole in the middle block. The only Gaucho to play in all 13 sets, he leads the team in blocks (11) and is third in kills (26), hitting a red-hot .500 (26-5-42).
 
SCOUTING THE ANTELOPES
Grand Canyon has established itself as a top program in National Collegiate Men's Volleyball, earning a 68-25 record since the beginning of the 2022 season. In 2024, the program won its first ever MPSF championship. They also defend their home court well, winning all of their previous 12 home matches, including sweeping a two-match set over #18 George Mason last weekend.
 
BYU transfer Trent Moser is the Lopes' top attacker, tallying 58 kills already this season. Fellow outside hitters Cole Ottmar and Karter Rogers each have 40 apiece; the pair are also second and third in digs (23 and 17, respectively).
 
Setter Jaxon Herr has done a great job offensively and defensively. He has 9.73 assists per set coming into this weekend, plus he leads the team with 26 digs and is second with 14 blocks. Cole Duncanson, senior middle blocker, leads the team with 17 blocks and seven aces.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
Friday's match begins at 5 p.m. PT with Saturday's match at 6 p.m. PT, both at Global Credit Union Arena At GCU. For those not making the trip to Phoenix, the matches will be streamed on B1G+ and live stats will be available at ucsbgauchos.com/MVBLiveStats.