Andy McGuire, the senior libero on UCSB’s national runner-up men’s volleyball team, returned to Santa Barbara and brought some Gaucho magic with him.
McGuire was a force digging the ball and his partner, Joey Dykstra, controlled the net to frustrate 6-9 Andrew Fuller and Everett Matthews and win the championship of the Santa Barbara Men’s Open, 28-18, on Sunday at East Beach.
The tournament was part of the Semana Nautica sports festival.
Will Montgomery and teamate Kevine Tillie finshed third.
McGuire’s digging and passing were instrumental in UCSB’s success in the postseason. The Gauchos won the MPSF Tournament and reached the NCAA final, where they fell in five sets to Ohio State.
McGuire has that same defensive prowess and ball control on the sand, and his chemistry with Dykstra, a long-time friend, was too much for the top-seeded team to overcome. McGuire-Dykstra were the fourth seed.
“…Evie is a real good competitor and I’m really happy we were able to pull out this one against him in the final,” said McGuire.
Will Montgomery, a former Santa Barbara High star and the libero for UC Irvine, finished third with future UC Irvine teammate Kevine Tillie of France. Former Gaucho Ben Brockman and former East Beach regular Avery Drost also finished third.
Former Dos Pueblos standout Jordan Dyer and Ian Satterfield, and Lucas Black and Mike Nelson tied for fifth.
The tournament drew 25 teams.
