UCSB’s men’s volleyball team defeated UC San Diego on Friday night 28-26, 23-25, 27-25, 25-19.
UCSB improves to 4-7 overall, 2-5 MPSF in a contest that witnessed 32 score ties and 10 lead changes throughout. UCSD falls to 4-7 overall, 2-5 conference. Helping the Gauchos break their six game losing streak were a pair of season high performances.
The Gauchos scratched to a close first set win led by Jake Staahl and Dylan Davis but not without making significant hitting errors. UCSB dropped the second set but came out strong in third set, eventually pulling away and winning in the fourth with continued dominance from Staahl and Davis.
Sophomore middle blocker Jake Staahl had a career high defensively with 8 total blocks, 2 of which solo. Helping offensively as well, Staahl pounded out a career high with 11 kills with a hitting percentage of .526.
Fellow middle blocker, Senior Dylan Davis set a season high with 14 kills with a hitting percentage of .591. Sophomore opposite Matt March helped finish off the attacking barrage with 13 kills of his own.
UCSD’s attack was equally impressive from Sophomore Nick Iorfina with an impressive 19 kills and Cheyne Hayes with 14 of his own.
Head coach Rick McLaughlin expressed his excitement in the Gauchos’ revitalized play, “Dylan and Jake were excellent for us tonight. Their play allowed us to open up things offensively and we took advantage.”
UCSB looks to extend its high level of play next Tuesday in Robertson Gymnasium against MPSF new-comer Cal Baptist at 7:00pm.
