The seventh-ranked Gauchos extended their winning streak to three matches on Friday night, topping fifth-ranked UCLA 3-1 (23-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-20).
The win was the fifth of the campaign, including preseaon, over the Bruins. It marks the first time UCSB has beat UCLA five times in a single season. UCSB improved its record to 8-5 with a 6-4 mark in MPSF play. UCLA, losers of five straight, drops to last place in the conference at 2-6, 7-7 overall.
The Gauchos attack was led by two familiar faces, senior outside hitter Jeff Menzel and senior opposite Cullen Irons, who finished with 18 and 16 kills, respectively. Menzel’s 18 kills were a season-high, and his 35 kills over the week marked his highest two-match output of the season.
The night did started poorly for the Gauchos, who dropped the first set of the match while hitting a measly .120 as a team. UCSB was also unable to contain UCLA’s Gonzalo Quiroga, who recorded kills on all five of his attacks.
The Gauchos came out roaring at the start of the second game. With Scott Slaughter serving, UCSB captured the first eight points of the set, including a pair of service aces from Slaughter, who finished the night with three aces. He also turned in six blocks on the evening. That big lead was never relinquished, as six Menzel kills and 13 assists from senior setter Vince Devany put the set away.
“Scott was outstanding tonight,” said coach Rick McLaughlin, “he was real big tonight. He kick-started our team in the second game after that tough first set.”
At the beginning of the third set, it looked as if the Gauchos were going to run away again after getting out to an early 3-0 lead behind senior outside hitter Trey Valbuena’s serve. However, the Bruins battled back, tying the score at 22-22. The set ended on an impressive kill from Irons, whose five kills for the set were equaled by Menzel.
The decisive fourth set was taken by the Gauchos on the strong serving and solid play from senior libero Andy McGuire. Menzel, Devany and Slaughter recorded aces in the fourth set. Later in the set, with the Gauchos up 13-7, McGuire, who finished the night with five digs, made a sprawling dig off of a Kyle Caldwell attack that led to an emphatic kill from Irons. UCSB never looked back, completing the season sweep of the Bruins.
When asked about the Gauchos strong play against the Bruins, McLaughlin said, “they’re not a bad team. Sometimes they play young guys, which will work out for them in the future. We just match up well. Beating them in pre-season certainly helped. It gave our guys the confidence to know that it could happen.”
Next up for the Gauchos are the BYU Cougars, who come to town next week for a two-game series at Rob Gym.
