In opening its first home tournament of the season, UCSB (4-2) fell in a 3-1 decision to Southern Methodist (6-1) on Friday night in the Thunderdome.
Ali Barbeau led the Gauchos with 12 kills, recording eight of them in UCSB’s third set victory, while Britton Taylor also reached double figures with 10 kills. Barbeau also registered her fourth consecutive kill/dig double-double performance, as she picked up 12 scoops. Setters Hanna Nielson and Annie Hasselmann finished with 24 and 18 assists, respectively, while Hasselmann also added 13 digs.
Defensively, libero Emilia Petrachi paced UCSB with 26 digs, and Elizabeth Sheffield posted five total blocks.
The Gauchos fell in a contentious opening set, as they rallied back after being down 22-16 to make it a two-point game. UCSB rattled off the 4-0 run with four straight kills, including two from Sheffield.
SMU regained served after a Gaucho attacking error, but Taylor provided a big response with back-to-back kills, making it 23-22. However, the Mustangs were able to block a Jaylen Villanueva attack and finished the game with a kill on their next serve.
Following a 25-13 loss in the second, the Gauchos bounced back with their best defensive set of the night. To that point in the match, SMU’s offense was hitting at a .355 clip. But the UCSB held them to just a .054 mark in the third.
Led by Barbeau’s eight kills, UCSB pulled out a gritty 26-24 win in the third set where they overcame a 23-20 Mustang lead.
Villanueva sparked UCSB’s offense with a booming kill and Barbeau followed suit with a pair of kills, including one that gave the Gauchos a 24-23 edge.
After calling a timeout, the Mustangs successfully set up Janelle Giordano for a kill, but Barbeau answered back with the clutch kill of her own.
With their second chance at game-point, Hasselmann sealed the win for the Gauchos with a strong solo block.
After a trying third game, UCSB was unable to force a fifth, as SMU finished the match with a 24-17 victory.
The Gauchos will be back in the Thunderdome tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m. to take on No. 18 San Diego who was dealt a 3-1 loss by No. 17 UCLA to open the UCSB Tournament.
