SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara Women's Volleyball team pushed its limits Saturday night, taking on California Baptist in a tense, five-set match. In their first-ever contest against the Lancers, the Gauchos edged out a 3-2 win after pulling through during the extra-point, 19-17 final set.
FROM HEAD COACH MICHAEL HENCHY
"Tonight took a lot of fight and grit, and I'm so proud of our girls, who were able to come out and close out in the fifth set," Henchy said. "I thought, with our backs against the wall, we performed as well as we had all night."
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gauchos had an easy first set, handily winning it eight points ahead at 25-17. The points were close during the first section of the set, but after the Gauchos gained a 7-6 lead, they made five points in a row to make it 12-6. An ace by Gabi Martinez gave the Gauchos an 18-10 standing, an eight-point lead that they kept until the end.
Cal Baptist came back in the second, flipping the script on the Gauchos and winning it 25-22. The Lancers led for the entirety of the set, and while Santa Barbara almost closed in at 19-20 and 21-22, Cal Baptist emerged on top. The Lancers also came out ahead in the third set, ending 27-25. The Gauchos led until the Lancers tied at 12-12 and stayed close for the rest of the set.
Santa Barbara came back to take the fourth, a feat they did 25-23. A tie followed the Gauchos the whole set, but they came back in time to even it at 22-22 before they took their win. The final set was tied through 12-12 then 16-16, with the Gauchos clinching the final points needed at 19-17. The match ended thanks to a block assist by Sandrea Thomas and Gabi Martinez.
STAT RECAP
Four players reached double-digit kills tonight, with Martinez leading the way with 23. She also shoveled 12 digs for a double-double and totaled 28 points. Auburn Tomkinson and Emma McDermott followed with 13 kills each, with the latter's total being her season best. Avery Gibbs reached double-digit kills for the first time in her career, coming in clutch with ten. Gibbs also picked up her career-high in digs with five and blocks with four.
Martinez also administered four service aces, while Bianca Nistor matched her career-high in aces with three. Milan Rex ended just one assist short of her-career-best with 28, while Ava Zamora seconded with 25. Rex also secured a double-double, thanks to ten digs. Cortni Youngblood scooped 14 digs for the highest total of the match.
UP NEXT
The Blue-Green Rivalry characterizes the Gauchos' upcoming week, with the Gauchos taking on the Mustangs home and away. Santa Barbara will first host San Luis Obispo on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. before heading to Cal Poly on Saturday, Oct. 24 to play at 7:00 p.m.
