IRVINE, Calif. – For the second time this season, Cole Schobel and George Bruening have been recognized with weekly awards by The Big West. Schobel was named as Setter of the Week while Bruening collected Defensive Player of the Week. 

Schobel paced the Gauchos to their 3-0 sweep of No. 6 Pepperdine on Feb. 18, making 11 assists per set and 33 total. The junior from Costa Mesa also hit .333, slamming six kills off 9 attempts with no errors. He also pushed the Gauchos to their win over No. 19 Lincoln Memorial while making nine digs.  

Bruening led the Gauchos on defense versus No. 19 Lincoln Memorial, where he shoveled a career-high 12 digs. He also led the Gauchos on the offense for the weekend, making 16 kills and 5.3 per set versus Pepperdine. 

Had 16 kills and 5.3 per set in the Gauchos' sweep of No. 6 Pepperdine. Led the Gauchos in kills for both wins this week, also making 4 kills over No. 19 Lincoln Memorial. Made 34 points for the weekend with 4.86 per set. Led the Gauchos in digs with a career-high 12 versue Lincoln Memorial. 

Previously, on Jan. 12, Schobel was named Setter of the Week and Bruening the Offensive Player of the Week. 

The Gauchos also rose to No. 12 in the AVCA National Coaches Poll, moving up from their previous No. 14 standing.

Santa Barbara will host No. 1 UCLA in The Thunderdome on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 7:00 p.m.