SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara Men's Volleyball team soon starts the 2025 season as customary hosts of the ASICS Invitational in Rob Gym. Although under different sponsorship names throughout the years, this year's invite celebrates a historic milestone. The Gauchos have hosted every year since 1965, with the exception of 2021's cancellation, making this the 60^th annual competition.
 
Head Coach Rick McLaughlin embarks on his 17^th season leading the program with the first match coming against Missouri S&T on Thursday, Jan. 9 at 2 p.m.
 
"Very excited to kick off our 2025 season with our 60^th UCSB ASICS Invitational," McLaughlin said. "We welcome Missouri S&T, Tusculum, and Menlo, along with Big West powers UC Irvine and CSUN to the tourney this year. Should be great action."
 
This season is due to have a balance of experience and youth for the UC Santa Barbara program, who were picked fourth in the Big West Preseason Coaches' Poll. Star opposite Geste Bianchi and setter Jack Walmer are the only two seniors on the roster. Bianchi is coming off a breakout season, leading the country with 4.82 kills per set. Naturally, he was selected to the All-Big West Preseason Coaches' Team. Walmer was the main man setting him up, racking up 936 assists—9.09 per set—as the Gauchos' primary setter. Other returning upperclassmen starters like Ben Coordt and Sam Meister are also poised for solid seasons.
 
On the contrary, the underclassmen are a talented bunch. The 2023 Gaucho recruiting class was ranked #2 in the nation, headlined by outside hitter George Bruening and 2024 Big West All-Freshmen Team selection Josh Aruya. Patrick Kane joined Aruya on the All-Freshmen Team last year, too. Sophomore Cole Schobel transferred in from Loyola Chicago and will compete for setting duties, as well.
 
The ASICS Invitational takes place this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with each day having three matches apiece at 2, 4:30, and 7 p.m. All three Big West schools—the #16 Gauchos, #3 UC Irvine, and #15 CSUN—will rotate opponents, each competing against Missouri S&T, Menlo, and Tusculum. After playing the first match of the invite against Missouri S&T on Thursday at 2 p.m., UC Santa Barbara matches up against Menlo on Friday at 4:30 p.m. Then, they finish up the weekend playing the last match against Tusculum at 7 p.m.
 
To view the full schedule for the invite and to purchase tickets, visit the tournament web page.