Seventh-ranked UC Santa Barbara continued its dominant play at home on Wednesday night, making quick work of visiting No. 13 Cal State Northridge in a 3-0 sweep (25-18, 25-19, 25-16) at Rob Gym.
The Gauchos improved to 7-3 overall and 6-1 on their home court. The team is off to their best start to a home schedule since 2001, when they started the year 5-1 in home contests. They currently maintain a 6-3 MPSF record. The struggling Matadors slipped to 3-7, 2-6.
UCSB controlled the match from start to end, hitting a collective .298 to CSUN’s .068. The Matadors were held to a .000 clip or lower in two of three sets.
Outside hitters Matt Hanley and Austin Kingi were the go-to offensive options for the Gauchos on Wednesday. Kingi led all players with 12 kills on an extremely efficient .474 hitting percentage – a new career high – while Hanley finished with 11 kills, taking over the match after entering early in the second frame.
Senior libero Chad Kingi was a big part of the UCSB’s defensive success, matching a season high with 13 digs despite playing just three sets and being on the sideline often as UCSB controlled the serve the majority of the night.
Reigning MPSF Player of the Week Jonah Seif had his best statistical game of the match in the first set, recording 11 of his 29 assists.
CSUN was led by setter Travis Magorien, who had a double-double with 21 assists and 10 digs. Bradley Sakaida, Sam Holt, and Greg Faulkner each had seven kills to pace the squad.
The Gauchos will look to continue their strong play this Friday night, when they host sixth-ranked Long Beach State.
