DAVIS – The Gauchos recorded their most service aces and their second highest team hitting percentage of the season on Friday night, decisively rolling over the host UC Davis Aggies 3-1 (25-21, 20-25, 25-11, 25-23).
UCSB improved to an even .500 record in the conference at 3-3 with a 10-11 overall record. UC Davis fell to 9-10, 3-3.
Leading the charge for the Gauchos were middle blockers Jenna Wilson and Britton Taylor. The UCSB middles recorded twin lines of 12 kills on 19 attacks. Jenna, a junior, matched a career high with her 12 kills – and set a new one with her lofty .526 hitting percentage – to go along with a team-high five blocks. Britton, a freshman, had a .574 hitting percentage and two blocks.
Feeding Wilson and Taylor on the slide was freshman Jaylen Villanueva, who had one of her strongest nights as a Gaucho: career highs in assists (40) and aces (2) while also contributing 16 digs and five kills on 11 attacks.
Freshman libero Taylor Formico had a typically strong defensive night – the Mountain View, Calif. native had a match-high 20 digs – while also contributing on the offensive end with a career and match-high 4 aces. All four aces came in the third game – a set which the Gauchos dominated – three of which took place in a mid-set run and the last one which was the game-clincher.
UCSB’s 11 aces overall represented a new season high. UCD’s Allison Whitson was victimized to the tune of eight reception errors.
As a team, the Gauchos hit .240 on the night. Only their .254 figure against Cal State Northridge has been higher this season. UCSB improved on their Big West best kill rate of 13.81 kills per game in conference matches with 58 team digs over four games.
Junior outside hitter Leah Sully had yet another double-double on Friday night, collecting a team-high 13 kills to go along with 11 digs.
UC Davis was led by Devon Damelio, who had 12 kills and 14 digs. Victoria Lee had a match-high six blocks.
The Gauchos continue their road trip tomorrow, when they take on Pacific at 7 p.m. in Stockton, Calif. It will be UCSB’s first opportunity to climb above .500 in the Big West since their conference opener.
