NORTHRIDGE – A match-high 13 kills from outside hitter Jeff Menzel wasn’t enough as the 10th-ranked UCSB men’s volleyball team was swept at No. 2 Cal State Northridge Friday at the Matadome. Scores went 30-21, 30-25, and 30-27.
Cal State Northridge, playing in its home opener, remained perfect on the season with the win, improving to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play. UCSB dropped to 2-4 overall and is still looking for its first MPSF win at 0-3.
Menzel has led UCSB in kills in all six matches this season. Right side hitter Cullen Irons posted a career-best 10 kills and hit .562 with just one error in 16 sets. Libero Andy McGuire had a match-high nine digs.
For the Matadors, Eric Vance and Tanner Nua combined for 25 kills as Nua matched Menzel with 13. Vance and Jacek Ratajczak each had six blocks as the Matadors out-blocked the Gauchos 12.0 to 5.5.
Northridge had a stellar offensive night, hitting .416 (50-13-89) to UCSB’s .235 (40-20-85).
The Gauchos return home to host BYU on Jan. 30 and Jan. 31.
