Gauchos snap losing streak with weekend sweep over Riverside, five-set win over California Baptist

UC Santa Barbara Women’s Volleyball (10-2, 6-2 Big West) broke their two-game losing streak this weekend, beating UC Riverside (4-15, 0-8 Big West) 3-0 on Oct. 16 and California Baptist University (3-16, 0-7 Big West) 3-2 on Oct. 17.

Returning home, the Gauchos shut out the Highlanders. Opening up the first set, the Gauchos led 5-0 with help from senior setter Milan Rex, who nailed three service aces. The Gauchos led for the entire first set, reaching 20 first at 20-18 and closing the set 25-18 with help from three kills.

During the second set, the Gauchos dominated with 18 kills as a team while the Highlanders recorded only 10 kills. The Gauchos led at 19-10 with a 6-point scoring streak and effortlessly finished the set at 25-13 with a 12-point lead. 

Down two sets, the Highlanders were desperate to gain one and put up a fight in the third. Tied at 5-5 and 8-8, the Gauchos gained the lead at 12-9 and 19-18 but tied up again at 20-20. Pivotal kills by senior middle blocker Bella Mathis and senior outside hitter Auburn Tomkinson pushed the lead to 24-22, and the two ended the set with a block assist at 25-22. The sweep came together with the efficiency of Tomkinson from the net, who led the match in kills at 15 and tied her season high.

“I am so proud of this team for bouncing back after last weekend, we’ve put in the work this week, and it’s awesome to see that showing on and off the court!” Tomkinson said.

Staying at home, the Gauchos then played California Baptist University for the first time on Saturday. Opening the first set with a 5-point streak, the Gauchos led 12-6 with help from back-to-back kills by sophomore outside hitter Gabi Martinez, retaining the lead for the remainder of the set and easily claiming the victory at 25-17.

The second set was more challenging for the Gauchos, who trailed from early on. Attempting to gain the lead, they strung a 4-point streak with multiple kills from Martinez, but remained behind at 17-18. The Gauchos trailed for the remainder of the set and lost 22-25.

Tied 1-1 in sets, the third set ended similarly with the Lancers taking the win 27-25. The Gauchos predominantly led until 12-12, before the Lancers pulled ahead and remained there for the rest of the set. 

Down 1-2, the Gauchos claimed the fourth at 25-23. Building a 6-point lead at 21-15, they were 4 points away from victory before the Lancers retaliated, taking 7-1 of the next points, tying the set at 22-22. Crucial kills by Martinez and sophomore opposite Avery Gibbs regained the lead at 24-22 before the Lancers hit one more, making it 24-23. A powerful kill by senior outside hitter Emma McDermott ended the set. 

Tied 2-2, the Gauchos took the fifth and final set in an exhilarating battle, at 19-17. Just 4 points away from the win at 11-9, the Lancers capitalized on the Gauchos’ attack errors and hit a kill to lead at 12-11. The Lancers’ lead at 16-15 almost ended the set, but the Gauchos fought back, stringing together 2 points. The set ended with help from a block assist by senior middle blocker Sandrea Thomas and Martinez. 

Martinez contributed from the net with 23 kills, and McDermott and Tomkinson both added 13.

Next, the Gauchos will take on California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo in a Blue-Green rivalry match on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 7:30 p.m. and head to Cal Poly for a rematch on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m.