The eight-team field for the 2016 UCSB Asics Invitational, scheduled for Jan. 8 and 9, has been announced by UCSB men’s volleyball head coach Rick McLaughlin.
The Gauchos will be joined this year by conference-mates Long Beach State, Cal State Northridge, and Cal Baptist. Non-conference foes lined up for this year’s tournament include MIVA members Quincy and Lindenwood as well as EIVA members NJIT and Sacred Heart.
Unlike past tournaments, the 2016 edition will have a set schedule. All MPSF teams, UCSB included, will play three matches against non-conference opponents.
Each team will play a pair of games on Friday, Jan. 8 before playing a final contest on Saturday, Jan. 9. All Friday matches except UCSB’s will be played at the Thunderdome, while all contests will be played at Rob Gym on Saturday. Every Gaucho match will be held at Rob Gym.
Tickets for the UCSB Asics Invitational are now available! They can be purchased by calling 805-893-UCSB or clicking here. All-session tickets are priced at $25 for adults and $15 for seniors & youth. Single-session tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors & youth.
UCSB will open the tournament with against Quincy at 10:00 on Jan. 8, then play NJIT at 7:00 p.m. before closing out the Invitational with a showdown against Sacred Heart at 6:30 on Jan. 9.
The Gauchos enter the 2016 season looking for their fourth consecutive trip to the MPSF Tournament. The preseason No. 9 team in the country and the No. 5 squad in the MPSF Preseason Coaches Poll, they return a strong core led by All-American setter Jonah Seif as well as All-MPSF libero Hayden Boehle and experienced pin hitters Austin Kingi and Matt Marsh.
McLaughlin has a chance to hit a big milestone during the Invitational, as he needs just four wins to notch his 100th as head coach of the Gauchos.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY – Thunderdome
10 AM UCSB vs. Quincy (Rob Gym)
10 AM Cal Baptist vs. NJIT
10 AM Long Beach State vs. Lindenwood
10 AM Cal State Northridge vs. Sacred Heart
7 PM UCSB vs. NJIT (Rob Gym)
7 PM CBU vs. Quincy
7 PM LBSU vs. Sacred Heart
7 PM CSUN vs. Lindenwood
SATURDAY – Rob Gym
11 AM Cal Baptist vs. Lindenwood
1:30 PM Northridge vs. NJIT
4 PM Long Beach vs. Quincy
6:30 PM UCSB vs. Sacred Heart
