It’s called home court advantage for a reason.
The UCSB women’s volleyball team won its third five-set match in the friendly confines of the Thunderdome, defeating Pacific on Friday night 24-26, 25-15, 25-14, 21-25, 15-9. The victory improves the Gauchos’ record to 14-4 overall and 4-2 in the Big West. More importantly, UCSB is 7-0 at home, matching its best record in the Thunderdome since 2005.
And it’s a good thing the Gauchos were again victorious on their home floor, setting up an even greater ceremony for Saturday. Due to some unfortunate circumstances, the first “Legend of the ’Dome” was postponed on Friday night to Saturday’s match vs. UC Davis. There, UCSB Athletics will unveil the first legend in its inaugural class.
Rebecca Saraceno had 27 kills for the second consecutive match, two away from her career-high, while also notching 10 digs. It was the senior outside hitter’s 11th double-double this season.
Stacey Schmidt had 14 kills, one off her season-high, while also contributing a solo block and two block assists. Kasey Kipp added a solo block and a match-best five block assists. Setter Dana Vargas had 48 assists, and more impressively, four block assists.
“We had a disappointing start to the game, no emotion, but we were still in a position to win,” said Head Coach Kathy Gregory, whose team is off to its best start since 2004. “Our fifth set momentum gave us the win. The bottom line is you have to battle and we certainly had to with Pacific.”
The Tigers, who knocked off No. 21 Long Beach State last week, fall to 14-4, 4-3 in the Big West.
