SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – UC Santa Barbara Men's Volleyball student-athletes Josh Aruya and Riggs Guy helped USA Volleyball U21 Men's Team win the gold medal this past weekend at the Pan American Championships.
 
The Americans defeated the hosting nation Canada, 3-1 (26-24, 25-21, 22-25, 25-18) in the championship match to finish the tournament a perfect 6-0.
 
Guy, a rising sophomore outside hitter, was voted the best spiker while totaling 11 points on nine kills and two blocks in the championship match. The Newport Beach native was instrumental in USA's success. In the first set, Guy swung momentum back to the Red, White and Blue with a kill to put them up 19-18, and ultimately went on to win the set 26-24.
 
Guy continues his impressive start to his collegiate career, following the 2025 season he was named to The Big West All-Freshman Team. Guy led the Gauchos this past season with 217 kills and 245 points while ranking second with 3.06 kills per set and 3.45 points per set.
 
Josh Aruya was also instrumental in the team's success. The middle blocker helped the U.S. move into sole possession of first place with a 3-1 win over Canada to keep them undefeated during the August 7 matchup. In the final match of the preliminary round Aruya added five blocks throughout the match to help the Red, White and Blue to the Gold Medal Match.
 
Aruya, a rising junior, finished second on the team in total blocks for the Gauchos during the 2025 season while tying for first on the team in block solos with teammate Riggs Guy. He tied his career high in kills against Hawai'i on April 18 and points against Cal Lutheran on March 25.