The 13th-ranked UC Santa Barbara men’s volleyball team finished its 2009 road season on a down note, losing 3-2 at No. 10 UC San Diego Saturday. The Gauchos were up 2-1 in sets, but ultimately lost by scores of 26-30, 30-21, 30-20, 21-30, and 13-15 at RIMAC Arena.
With its fifth consecutive loss, UCSB fell to 8-18 overall and 4-17 in the MPSF. UC San Diego upped its overall record to 12-14 and is now 8-13 in the league. It was the first time the Tritons swept a season series from the Gauchos. The all-time series record is 23-4 with Santa Barbara holding the decisive advantage.
Jeff Menzel and Cullen Irons led the Gauchos with 17 kills each. Menzel added a career-high nine blocks. Jake Rosener finished with 11 kills and four aces, while Andy McGuire posted a match-high 15 digs.
UC San Diego got a match-best 21 kills from Frank Fritsch and another 16 from Will Ehrman. Ehrman completed a double-double with 10 digs while Calvin Ross and Gerald Houseman each had eight blocks.
Both teams were up and down all night with attack percentages as the Tritons finished with a slight .236 to .232 edge. Neither team was particularly effective from the service line as UCSB made 20 errors and UCSD committed 19. The front lines were producing consistent blocks, with the Tritons finishing with 16.5 and the Gauchos collecting 13.0.
It was the ninth five-set match that UCSB had been involved in this season. The Gauchos are 3-6 in those long contests.
UCSB closes out the season at home as it hosts Cal State Northridge on Friday, Apr. 17 at 7 p.m. Mike Runkle and Matt Thobe will be honored during Senior Night at Robertson Gymnasium. It is also a Faculty Free Friday match and all UCSB faculty and staff can come be a fan for free.
