Martinez’s career-high 28 kills not enough as Gauchos drop two

UC Santa Barbara Women’s Volleyball (8-9, 4-2 Big West) broke their four-match winning streak in the Big West Conference and dropped both road matches this weekend, falling 1-3 to California State University, Long Beach and 2-3 to California State University, Fullerton.

On Friday, Oct. 9, the Gauchos traveled to Long Beach. Starting with a strong opening position, they took the first set 25-23, but lost the next three sets to the Beach at 18-25, 19-25 and 18-25 again.

Despite the loss, several Gauchos reached double digits, including sophomore outside hitter Gabi Martinez, who delivered 13 kills and 13 digs from the court, and junior outside hitter Sophia Wendlick, who reached 11 kills.

The Gauchos then traveled to Fullerton to compete against the Titans on Saturday, Oct. 10, where Martinez delivered a career-high from the court with 28 kills, tying for the most kills in the conference so far this season. The Gauchos had not lost to the Titans since 2012, marking Fullerton’s first conference win of the season.

Exchanging points to begin the first set, with Fullerton leading 8-5, the Gauchos rallied back to tie at 8-8 and 11-11. The Titans then established a four-point lead at 20-16; however, a six-point run by the Gauchos propelled them ahead again at 22-21. It was a tight battle until the end when senior middle blocker Sandrea Thomas delivered a solo block, and Martinez closed the set with an ace. 

Pushing forward, the Gauchos took the second set 25-19 with another six straight points that pushed them from a 15-15 tie to a 21-15 lead. Finishing it off, Wendlick delivered a kill, ending the set at 25-19.

Up 2-0, the match was not over yet when the Titans began to make their comeback, claiming the third set at 25-19. The Titans then took the fourth set, leading 20-12 and closing the match at 25-19. 

Tied 2-2, the Gauchos headed into the fifth set hoping to pull out the win. Tied at 6-6, the Gauchos led at 10-7 and 13-10 points away from victory when the Titans sent five consecutive points back, claiming the match at 15-13.  

Regardless of the loss, several Gauchos were persistent from the net, with several career highs set against the Titans. Martinez hit her career-high with 28 kills, Thomas hit 10 and sophomore opposite Avery Gibbs hit seven kills.

Head Coach Michael Henchy expressed disappointment with the results of this weekend’s matches. 

“We left opportunities unturned this week, and while the pain of regret is strong currently, we have full control over what we do next,” he said. 

The Gauchos are only 6 matches into the Big West for the season, giving them ample opportunities to showcase their strengths on the court. 

“We have the chance to do something great, and we won’t let that pass us by without a fight,” Henchy concluded. 

With a couple of days to recover,  the Gauchos will come home to take on UC Riverside on Friday, Oct. 16, and California Baptist University on Saturday, Oct. 17.