SANTA BARBARA, Calif. –  The UC Santa Barbara Men's Volleyball team served off their 2026 campaign with a victory over Kentucky State, taking down the Thorobreds 3-0 on Thursday afternoon in their first match of the ASICS Invitational.

Redshirt freshman Raglan Kear took to the court for the first time in his collegiate career and crushed, leading the team with six kills and two block assists. Veteran Owen Loncar also launched six kills, and both hit .455. 

Ben Pearson followed up with four kills as well as three service aces, tying his career high in the stat. The team as a whole totaled 11 aces. Cole Schobel tossed 19 assists and led the team in digs with seven. 

Santa Barbara put up six block assists and George Bruening locked a solo block. Andreas Schuetz matched Kear's two assists and had two aces of his own. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
After leading for the entirety of the set, the Gauchos emerged from the first 25-14. The Thorobreds stayed within reasonable distance through 10-6, but the Gauchos made headway and ended the set with an 11-point lead. 

Kentucky State also stayed tight through the second set's first era, but by 17-10, Santa Barbara had made their move. The Thorobreds only scored three more points before the Gauchos claimed the set 25-13. 

The Gauchos secured their highest win margin in the third, clinching it 25-12. With a 17-11 lead, the Blue and Gold went on a seven-point run that forged their way to victory.

UP NEXT
The Gauchos continue their Robertson Gymnasium-based tournament, facing Maryville University on Friday, Jan. 9 at 4:30 and Harvard on Saturday, Jan 10 at 7:00 p.m.