In facing its first nationally ranked opponent of the season, UCSB fell in a 3-0 decision to No. 18 San Diego.
The Gauchos struggled to find their swing against the Toreros, as they hit for .112 as a team. Leading UCSB in the kill category was Britton Taylor with eight kills off a .211 hit percentage. Annie Hasselmann dished out 13 assists, while Hanna Nielson added 11.
On defense, libero Emilia Petrachi picked up 10 digs, while sophomore Sydney Bast was behind her with a season-high eight scoops. Phoebe Grunt stayed busy at the net with her five blocks, as she finished with seven points, which was second on the team only to Taylor’s eight.
With both teams seeking their first win of the tournament, the match started off with a wealth of long rallies and hard earned points. In the first game, the two swapped leads and never took an advantage greater than three points until USD went on its late set push.
The Toreros originally took hold of their lead after a 5-0 run that put them on top 13-11. However, the Gauchos answered with back-to-back points following a timeout to tie the score. Taylor registered the first point with a kill and was followed by a setting error from USD’s Caila Stapleton.
From there, the Toreros retook the serve with a kill and never looked back in taking the first game 25-20.
The Gauchos found themselves in a hole in opening the second, as USD snagged an early 5-0 lead. But a timeout helped reset UCSB and were able to tie the set at 7-7 following a run that featured five kills. Barbeau and Grunt co-led the stretch with two kills apiece, while Devin Joos penciled in the last one for the tying point. Though the Toreros’ lead bent, it would not break for the Gauchos who could not pull ahead in the game that ended 25-20.
With a 2-0 lead in hand, USD was able to take the third with a 25-13 score.
The Gauchos will close out their home tournament tomorrow at 2 p.m. against No. 17 UCLA.
