LOS ANGELES, Calif. – For the second match in a row, UC Santa Barbara Women's Volleyball forced a nationally ranked team to five sets. The Gauchos landed just shy of an upset, ultimately ceding 3-2 to No. 13 Creighton. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gauchos opened strong, decisively winning the first set 25-19. Santa Barbara began to lead at 7-5 and never looked back. Creighton managed to trudge back from a 24-15 UCSB lead, but was unable to finish the effort. 

The Blue Jays did manage to steal the second set 25-17. Creighton took the lead at 6-4, but the Gauchos remained in reasonable distance through 14-12. The Blue Jays ultimately ran away with the score to claim the set. 

Santa Barbara saw their next victory in the third set, snagging it 25-23. The set had 14 ties and only one lead with more than two points, at 6-3 Creighton. The Gauchos came out on top after the set-long tug-of-war to take the match advantage at 2-1. 

Creighton came back during the final two sets, however, clinching them 25-18 and 15-10. The Gauchos refused to give the Blue Jays an easy time, staying tight with Creighton throughout the match. 

Eva Travis kept her fire, landing 19 kills over the Blue Jays and scooping ten digs. Layanna Green followed for the Gauchos with ten kills. Milan Rex dished 23 assists, her season record, and freshman Gabi Martinez made her first solo block. 

Jordyn Johnson is making a name for herself early in her collegiate career, having made seven out of 11 kill attempts as well as four blocks against Creighton. The freshman from St. Paul has accomplished a hit percentage of .542 through her first four games. 

NEXT UP
The Gauchos will conclude the Trojan Invitational with a match against the University of San Diego on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 4 p.m. Next week, they will host The Thunderdome Classic from Sept. 11-13.