The eight-ranked UCSB men’s volleyball team needed just one win in its final six matches to secure a spot in the MPSF postseason tournament.
The Gauchos took care of business Thursday night, beating UC San Diego in straight sets to clinch a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2007. The game scores were 25-17, 25-19, 25-17.
With the win, the Gauchos improved to an overall record of 13-10 with a 10-7 conference record. UC San Diego dropped to 8-17, with a 4-14 conference record.
Since UCSB has not reached the postseason since 2007, the playoff berth was the first for practically everyone involved in the program.
“It’s been the goal since day one,” said coach Rick McLaughlin, who came within one game of reaching the playoffs last year in his second season as head coach. “To miss out on the playoffs by one game last year made us want it that much more.”
The players echoed McLaughlin’s sentiments, as senior outside hitter Jeff Menzel said, “We should have been there the last three years, but it’s good to be there this year.”
The Gauchos spread out their attack over the match, as three players finished tied for the team lead with seven: Menzel, sophomore middle blocker Dylan Davis, and senior middle blocker Scott Slaughter.
For the match, the Gauchos held the Tritons to a lowly .075 hitting percentage, including a team-high .182 clip on 8 kills from Shane Veiga.
UCSB won the first set on the back of two long service rallies from senior oposite Cullen Irons. Though he recorded just a single ace on the night, Irons made it difficult for the Tritons to pass his serves to setter Mike Brunsting. UCSD hit just .034 as a team for the set, while UCSB also received strong games from Slaughter, who recorded three of his four blocks in the first frame, and senior libero Andy McGuire, who accumulated four of his nine total digs in the first set.
In the second set, the game became a little more fluid, as both teams recorded their highest hitting percentages: UC San Diego at .350 and UCSB at .579. That .579 clip from UCSB also included an 89 percent conversion rate on sideout points. Davis had five of his seven kills in the second game, while senior setter Vince Devany had 14 of his 37 assists in the second set.
The third set was all the Gauchos, as they never once relinquished the lead they established on the first point.
The Gauchos turn to host UC Irvine on Friday night, April 1. UCSB lies just a half game ahead of UC Irvine for fourth place, and home court advantage in the first round of the MPSF playoffs.
