The UCSB women’s volleyball team had its six-match wining streak snapped on Friday night as No. 22 Long Beach State defeated the Gauchos 25-18, 25-22, 20-25, 18-25, 15-11.
Friday marked the second consecutive match UCSB has rallied from a 2-0 deficit, but this time the Gauchos could not knock off another Top-25 team as they did last Saturday when they beat then-No. 21 UC Irvine in a five-set thriller.
The Gauchos, who were enjoying their longest winning streak since 2005, fall to 11-3 overall and 2-1 in the Big West. Long Beach State is now 9-3, 2-0.
The loss was UCSB’s first against a ranked team this season. The Gauchos are now 3-1 vs. Top-25 teams this year.
Rebecca Saraceno led UCSB with 19 kills, while Leah Sully and Stacey Schmidt also hit double-figures with 10 kills apiece. Saraceno also had 13 digs, marking her fourth double-double in a row and ninth this season. The senior outside hitter also had a match-high two service aces.
Setter Dana Vargas had 50 assists and 14 digs. Chelsey Lowe led the Gauchos with 16 digs.
As a team UCSB hit .209 while the 49ers swung at a .218 clip. Naomi Washington led all players with 23 digs while four 49ers notched double-digit digs.
UCSB faces Cal State Fullerton on Saturday before opening a four-match homestand vs. Cal Poly on Oct. 10.
