The No. 7-seeded UC Santa Barbara men’s volleyball team continued its Cinderella run through the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament on Thursday after upsetting No. 6 Long Beach State in four sets – 25-17, 26-28, 25-20, 25-23 — at USC’s Galen Center in Los Angeles.
UCSB (17-14), which ranked last in the MPSF in blocks per set, out-blocked LBSU (15-14), 15 to 8.5 en route to the victory.
The win marked the first time the Gauchos defeated the 49ers this season after dropping two matches to them during the regular season.
“It’s a tough conference to play in,” LBSU interim head coach Andy Read said. “But you wouldn’t want to play anywhere else.”
Senior outside hitter Jeff Menzel led the way for UCSB with 23 kills on a .302 hitting percentage. Fellow Senior Scott Slaughter added 11 kills on a staggering .786 hitting percentage. Slaughter finished tops in the conference this season in hitting percentage.
Freshman Taylor Crabb paced the ‘Niners with 14 kills and eight digs on a sub-par .216 hitting percentage. Crabb was the 49ers’ most consistent contributor.
“[The seniors on the team] made playing really easy,” Crabb said. “They never once got on edge or got mad at me for starting.”
The first set began with both teams trading blows, but the 49ers were able to come out on top early 7-6.
A crucial service ace by Menzel eventually gave the Gauchos their first lead of the set, 8-7.
After two decisive blocks by UCSB’s defense, the 49ers found themselves in a four-point hole they couldn’t dig out of as the Gauchos cruised to an eight-point victory in the first frame.
The Gauchos would keep the formidable 49ers defense at bay as they hit .357 in the first set and were only countered with a block once.
It wasn’t until the ‘Niners’ second block of the match would they take a commanding 12-7 lead midway through the second set.
But the Gauchos wouldn’t go down quietly as they eventually evened the set.
Both teams traded blows from there, until a crucial attack error by UCSB senior outside hitter Trey Valbuena put the 49ers up 20-18.
The 49ers then called upon Crabb to finish the set, and as he has done so many times this season, he registered two pivotal kills to maintain the two-point lead.
However, the 49ers let the lead slip away, yet again, which forced the frame to exceed 25 points to come to a close.
Nonetheless, two set-clinching kills from LBSU senior Josh Riley finally closed the door on the Gauchos.
UCSB then responded quickly in the third frame to take a five-point lead, 8-3.
Despite ranking last in the MPSF in blocks per set, the Gauchos registered three blocks to extend their lead.
A late run by LBSU would cut the Gauchos lead to three, but UCSB was able to regain its five-point advantage.
Another kill by Menzel eventually put the 49ers away to give the Gauchos a 2-1 advantage.
Both teams came out swinging in the fourth set, exchanging point after point. LBSU finally put together a solid run to take a a four-point lead early in the fourth set.
However, mental errors would end up costing the 49ers as the Gauchos stormed back to tie frame at 11.
Both teams traded the lead throughout the rest of the set until an attack from Dylan Davis was countered by a solo block from freshman setter Connor Olbright, giving the ‘Niners a 22-20 edge.
UCSB tied the frame, though, following Riley’s attempt to chase down a ball that clearly went out of play.
To no avail, LBSU’s season would eventually come to a close after yet another block by the Gauchos.
Disclaimer: The Daily 49er is not responsible for Postings made on www.daily49er.wpengine.com. Persons commenting are solely responsible for Postings made on this website. Persons commenting agree to the Terms of Use of the website. If Postings do not abide by the Rules of Conduct or Posting Regulations as listed in the Postings Policy, the Daily 49er has all rights to delete Postings as it deems necessary. The Daily 49er strongly advises individuals to not abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid language suggestive of hate speech. This site also encourages users to make Postings relevant to the article or other Postings.
