Breaking: No. 18 UC Santa Barbara Men’s Volleyball Welcomes No. 3 Hawai’i in Regular Season Finale, Honors Seven Seniors on Saturday’s Senior Night. Gauchos Aim to Build on George Bruening’s Career-High 26 Kills Against Powerhouse Rainbow Warriors After Narrow Loss to UC Irvine Last Week.
Headline:
UCSB Men’s Volleyball: Gauchos Battle No. 3 Hawai’i in Regular Season Finale; Senior Night Honors Seven
UC Santa Barbara Set for Exciting Homestand Against Nationally-Ranked Hawai’i
The No. 18 UC Santa Barbara Men’s Volleyball team (11-14, 2-6 Big West) is gearing up for a thrilling conclusion to their regular season, hosting the No. 3 University of Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors (23-4, 6-2 Big West) in a crucial two-match series. With playoff implications on the line, the Gauchos will look to close out their home schedule on a high note, crowned by Saturday night’s Senior Night celebration.
A Lasting Memory: Senior Night Honors Seven
Saturday’s game will serve as a special occasion as the Gauchos pay tribute to their seven senior stars—Geste Bianchi, Owen Birg, Jack Walmer, Ben Coordt, Max Gordon, Sam Meister, and Patrick Kane. These student-athletes have left an indelible mark on the Gauchos program and will be forever remembered by the UCSB community.
Gauchos Eying Redemption After Irvine Thriller
In their last outing, the Gauchos engaged in a clinic of resilience and determination against the then-No. 4 UC Irvine Anteaters. Despite squandering four match points in the fourth set, UCSB pushed their opponents to the limit, ultimately falling in five sets. The team then traveled to Irvine, where they were swept in straight sets. Coach Jonah rouXhold’s squad will be looking to avenge these setbacks and carry the momentum into their final home stand.
Surging Freshman Leads Gauchos’ Attack
Freshman phenom George Bruening was the catalyst for the Gauchos’ offensive explosion against UCI. Bruening chalked up a career-high 26 kills while leading the team with three aces and three blocks. A highly-touted recruit out of high school, Bruening has proven his mettle when healthy this season, ranking sixth in the Big West with 3.37 kills and 3.88 points per set.
Meanwhile, senior opposite Geste Bianchi returned to the starting lineup after a three-game absence and contributed 11 kills. Bianchi maintains a staggering pace of 4.84 kills and 5.36 points per set in conference play.
Intrigue Surrounds Gauchos’ Starting Lineup
With injuries peppering the Gauchos’ roster, Ethan Saint and Ben Pearson stepped up as outside hitter replacements, delivering impressive performances in their starting roles against UCI. Saint tallied 14 kills and six digs, while Pearson registered eight kills and nine digs. Meanwhile, middle blocker Sam Meister hit .556 with a block in substitute action, raising questions about the Gauchos’ starting lineup heading into their crucial matchup with the Rainbow Warriors.
Scouting the Rainbow Warriors
Hawai’i arrives at UCSB riding high after a dramatic weekend against No. 1 Long Beach State. The Rainbow Warriors split the series, dropping a thriller in five sets after winning the first match. Tread Rosenthal, last year’s Big West Freshman of the Year, has asserted himself as one of the nation’s top setters, averaging an astonishing 10.72 assists per set (fourth in the country).
The Rainbow Warriors’ attacking depth was on full display against LBSU, with freshman Finn Kearney coming up big with a combined 34 kills across the two matches. Meanwhile, middle blocker Kurt Nusterer enjoyed a career night with 10 kills on a perfect .833 hitting percentage in his Senior Night victory.
How to Follow the Action
Both matches are slated for 7 p.m. PST starts, with Senior Night festivities expected to push Saturday’s first serve back a few minutes. Fans can stream the matches on ESPN+ and listen on ESPN Honolulu. Live stats will be available on the UCSB Men’s Volleyball webpage.
FAQ
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When are the matches scheduled?
- The matches are set for 7 p.m. PST on Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16.
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Can I watch the matches live?
- Yes, both matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
- Where can I find live stats?
- Live stats will be available on the UCSB Men’s Volleyball webpage.
Did You Know?
With a combined record of 34-18, UCSB and Hawai’i have played 52 matches dating back to 1978. The Gauchos own a narrow 27-25 edge in the all-time series, and a win in either match could potentially flip the balance for good.
Pro Tip
Keep an eye on Bruening and Bianchi’s offensive synergy as they look to redeem themselves against a stout Hawai’i defense.
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