The UCSB women’s volleyball team traveled to Hawaii this weekend and fell to the Warriors 3-1 in a four-set match last night.

With their loss to Hawaii, the Gauchos stay at .500 with a 4-4 Big West and 9-10 overall record, and hold the sixth spot in the league. The Warriors added to their record after a win against Cal Poly on Friday to 6-2 Big West and 14-5 overall as they jump Cal State Northridge to take second place.

The rivalry held strong in a defensively driven match on both sides of the net. UCSB had 74 total digs, six block assists and two solo blocks, while Hawaii had 84 total digs and 14 block assists. Both teams, however, hit collectively for under .250 hitting percentage as the Warriors hit for .216 and the Gauchos hit .108.

“It was a fight the whole time and we just need to be more disciplined and work on our consistency,” sophomore outside hitter Ali Spindt said. “The fight was there, but Hawaii had a great match.”

In the 25-22, 19-25, 25-15, and 25-16 match, UCSB pulled out a win in the second set, but the powerful Warrior defense held the Gauchos to under a .200 hitting percentage in each set.

Leading the Gauchos offensively was junior outside hitter Ali Barbeau, who hit for a .213 hitting percentage, scoring 18 points. Following Barbeau was freshman outside hitter Chanel Hoffman with 11 kills and 13 points.

Defensively, Hoffman also had 16 digs and Spindt had 25. Barbeau also operated well for the Gaucho defense with one solo block and two block assists.

“We fought hard and played well in a couple of the games but Hawaii’s defense out- played us,” junior libero Shauna Klein said. “We hung on and won the majority of the long rallies, but we let them pull ahead after it was going back and forth.”

Performing for the Warriors offense was sophomore outside hitter Nikki Taylor who hit for a .462 hitting percentage while recording 22 kills and scoring 25 total points. Behind her was junior middle blocker Olivia Magill, who swung for a .348 hitting percentage, but also put up two solo blocks and two block assists defensively.

The defensive leader for the Warriors was sophomore setter Tayler Higgins, who had one solo block and six block assists. Senior libero Sarah Mendoza also had 25 digs.

After this weekend, Spindt claims first in the conference in digs per set averaging 4.51. Hawaii’s Magill also takes the top spot in hitting percentage, averaging .400.

The Gauchos will play Hawaii again on Friday Nov. 21, but for now will be on the road again next weekend as they face UC Davis, followed by UC Riverside, both for the second time this season.

This is a Daily Nexus online exclusive.