UCSB lost both of its matches on Saturday, finishing off the University of San Diego Tournament with a 1-2 record. It was the first time this season the Gauchos lost both matches on day-two of a tournament.
The Gauchos, whose record fell to 7-7, open Big West play this weekend.
Freshman libero Taylor Formico was named to the All-Tournament team. She scooped up 72 digs over the weekend, in the process tying Kristin Nelson for the most 30-dig matches in a single-season by a Gaucho in the rally-scoring era.
It was the third time that Formico has been named to an all-tournament team, tied with junior outside hitter Leah Sully for the most among the Gauchos.
In the morning match, the Gauchos fell to Fresno State in five games.
Sully led the way for UCSB against the Bulldogs, leading the squad in both kills (14) and swings (60). Sully also picked up 17 digs to record her tenth double-double of the season.
Katey Thompson was a force as well for the Gauchos, finishing not far from a triple-double. Thompson had 11 kills on just 31 swings, while also recording 14 digs and a team-high eight blocks.
Redshirt freshman Elizabeth “ZZ” Meddaugh had three kills and seven blocks, both career-highs, in her most extensive playing time to date.
The Gauchos showed flashes of brilliance throughout the match, holding the Bulldogs to just 14 points in the fourth game and outblocking them as team 14.0 to 8.0, but were unable to consistently maintain pressure.
Game scores for the match went 20-25, 25-17, 25-18, 14-25, 15-11.
The night match against tournament host and seventeenth-ranked San Diego went less smoothly for the Gauchos, who were dispatched in four games.
Sully led the squad again in kills with 19, and Katey Thompson chipped in another 11 kills. However, the rest of the rest of the squad combined for just 13 kills and never hit over .171 in a game.
Freshman outside hitter Alex Barbeau picked up a pair of aces on just four attempts, and also hit a robust .417 on her five kills.
Sophomore setter Ali Santi and Katey Thompson each recorded a pair of aces as well.
Conference play begins this week for the Gauchos. They visit UC Irvine on Friday night and Long Beach St. on Saturday night.
