SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – UC Santa Barbara took on UC Riverside tonight for their final home match of the month, a contest it won 3-1. The Gauchos defeated the Highlanders after an emotional four-set showdown to create a five-set home streak.

UC Riverside took the opening set 25-23. The Highlanders led for the entirety of the set and held several multiple-point leads, but the Gauchos were able to reduce the gap to just two points.

The Gauchos came back in the second to balance the match 1-1. Santa Barbara took the lead after a tie at 8-8 and never looked back, eventually taking the set 25-23.

The Gauchos dominated in the third set and finished with a stark 25-16 score.  They refused to give the Highlanders any slack and closed with the nine-point difference.  

The fourth set was volatile, but the Blue and Gold pulled through to win it 26-24. Santa Barbara led through 15, but a late comeback by Riverside hindered the Gauchos' head start. The Gauchos did not falter, however, and were able to put up the final points needed to clinch the match.

STAT RECAP
- Kiersten Schmitt nailed a career-high 17 kills, upgrading the record of 16 kills she made at Davis on Oct. 23
- Gabi Martinez led the team in both kills and digs, having 18 kills and a career-high 15 digs
- Layanna Green made two solo blocks
- Jordyn Johnson had her career high seven block assists
- Caroline Foraker entered to provide the Gauchos with five kills during the fourth that helped them close it out

UP NEXT
The Gauchos are headed towards two road games, taking on CSUN and Cal State Bakersfield on Friday, Oct. 31, and Saturday, Nov. 1. Santa Barbara will face the Matadors at 7:00 p.m. and the Roadrunners at 4:00 p.m.