The Gauchos are ready to hit the floor once again for the 2012 season.
The defending Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Champions and National Title runners-up will welcome the University of Manitoba to Rob Gym on Wednesday in a preseason match to kick off the new campaign.
UCSB will look to continue their remarkable run from the 2011 season, which saw them reach the NCAA Championship match. You can re-visit their season with this special Our Stories video called “A Run To Remember” by clicking here.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Head Coach Rick McLaughlin’s squad, who finished 18-15 overall last season, now enter an era of transition, as six of last season’s starters graduated.
The sole starting returner is Junior middle blocker Dylan Davis, who was a key part of 2011’s playoff run. Davis had a career high 15 kill performance in the national semi-final match against USC, while also setting an NCAA tournament record with his .882 hitting percentage. Other key returners include Junior setter Oliver Deutschman, Senior outside hitter Blaine Nielsen, and Sophomore middle blocker Evan Licht.
McLaughlin has high expectations for the Gauchos in 2012: “We’re returning 11 very hungry players along with five freshman and a couple of junior college transfers that are excited to get started. We know that we have a lot of hard training ahead to return to the level those seniors reached, but this team is up for the challenge.”
Following the preseason match against the University of Manitoba, UCSB will host the UCSB/asics Invitational. The schedule for the tournament can be found at the bottom of this release. The Gauchos took second place in last year’s tournament, and this year’s tournament field is extremely competitive, including national champions Ohio State and BYU, a team that went undefeated at home until the Gauchos toppled them in the MPSF tournament.
There are two ticket options for attending the tournament: All-Session and Single Day passes. All-Session passes are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors, youth, and military. Single day passes are $15 for adults, and $12 for seniors, youth, and military.
Season tickets are value priced at just $60 and includes all 16 home games. A family plan is available for $100 and includes two season tickets, two GKids memberships and access to the Founders Room pre-game. Both season ticket options include five free parking passes if purchased by January 20.
To purchase your tickets, call the UCSB Ticket Office at 805.893.UCSB, email [email protected] or click here to buy online.
And remember, there is still time to make your year-end, tax-deductible donation to the Gaucho Fund by clicking here. Choose the sport of your choice and make a significant difference in the life of a deserving student-athlete.
