The UCSB men’s volleyball team got off to an ideal start to conference play Friday night in San Diego, beating the Tritons in straight sets, 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-21).
The win brings the Gauchos’ record to 1-0 (3-1).
UC San Diego was coming off of an upset over preseason No. 2 UC Irvine. But the Tritons were unable to hold off the Gauchos’ attack. Senior outside hitter Jeff Menzel and senior opposite Cullen Irons each finished with a team-leading 12 kills. UCSB played a particularly strong team game, as four Gauchos finished with at least 8 kills.
Sophomore middle blocker Dylan Davis racked up 8 kills, and senior middle blocker Scott Slaughter turned in arguably his most impressive statistical match of the young season, recording 9 kills on a season-high .811 hitting percentage along with 6 blocks, another season high.
UCSB out-blocked UC San Diego 9-3 and also held them to a .194 hitting percentage for the match, including a .103 percentage in the decisive third set.
The Gauchos immediately hit the road for a match at UC Irvine on Saturday night.
