LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara Women's Volleyball team wrapped their LA road weekend on Sunday afternoon with a match versus the hosting No. 19 Southern California. The Gauchos tested the Trojans in sets two and three, but USC came away with a 3-0 home-court win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Trojans dominated the first set, winning it 25-11. The Gauchos proved much more formidable in the second set, forcing the Trojans into overtime and nearly taking the set themselves. The teams stayed on top of one another through the first stage, keeping it tied through 10-10. Auburn Tomkinson then slammed two left-handed kills to put the Gauchos up 12-10 over the Trojans. Santa Barbara led for the rest of the teens, staying multiple points ahead through 19-15. But USC made five of the next six points to once again tie the match at 20-20. The teams tied seven more times before the set was through, trading kills and errors. The final tie came at 27-27, when the Gauchos successfully overturned a challenge. But the Trojans were able to finalize the set in their favor, 29-27.
The second set was also within reach for the Gauchos, who finished just two points behind the Trojans' at 25-23. Santa Barbara was caught up through 4-4, but USC pushed several ahead to a 9-5 lead. The Gauchos recovered enough ground to be just two points behind at 12-10, and a kill by Reilly Goueth tied the match at 15-15. The Gauchos kept up through a tie at 19-19, but USC made the next point. They held on to the lead from there, eventually reaching a 23-20 headstart. Thanks to a kill and a solo block by Sophia Wendlick, the Gauchos stayed respectably close to the Trojans, but USC ultimately held their ground with a 25-23 set win.
STAT RECAP
Tomkinson led the Gauchos in kills for the second time this season, administering eleven against the Trojans. Emma McDermott showed up with seven kills, reaching 70 total for the season. Cortni Youngblood made over 15 digs again, hauling 16 of the Trojans' kill attempts. Ava Zamora followed Youngblood with nine digs while Danica Rach took home eight, and Reilly Goueth had her first career solo block.
UP NEXT
The Gauchos are back at home for Sept. 25 and 26, first hosting CSUN on Friday night at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the Gauchos will take on Bakersfield at 7 p.m.
