Jeff Menzel rose to the occasion in UCSB’s volleyball playoff opener.
The UCSB senior ripped 27 kills to lead the Gauchos to a stunning four-set victory at BYU on Saturday night in the quarterfinals of the MPSF tournament. It was BYU’s first loss at home this season.
The set scores were 25-21, 23-25, 26-24, 25-22.
Menzel pounded the ball through, around and over BYU blocks from all over the court.
It was UCSB’s first playoff victory since the 2007 season, when they beat the UCLA Bruins in the first round of that year’s tournament. The last time UCSB and BYU matched up in the postseason, the Gauchos earned a similar result, upsetting the Cougars back in 2005.
UCSB (15-14) now heads to Long Beach on Thursday for the conference semifinal match.
Menzel hit .373 for the match and added a match-high 8 digs.
BYU entered the game having won seven consecutive matches, but UCSB seemed unfazed, coming out roaring in the first set. They hit .324 for the set.
Though the Gauchos dropped a tightly contested second set, they avenged that loss by taking the final two sets on the back of Menzel’s dominant play. UCSB hit a lofty .478 in the decisive fourth set while holding the Cougars to a .235 clip for the match.
Senior opposite Cullen Irons also had a strong match for the Gauchos, racking up 13 kills and three blocks. He and Menzel combined for 40 kills. Scott Slaughter, an All-MPSF second-teamer, had seven kills and a team-high seven blocks. Senior setter Vince Devany, an All-MPSF honorable mention, eclipsed the 50-assist mark for the fifth time this season, finishing with 52.
The Cougars were led by Robb Stowell (19 kills) and Taylor Sander (15 kills).
Next week, the Gauchos will face off against No. 6 Long Beach State, who upset No. 3 Stanford.
