SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The No. 14 UC Santa Barbara Men’s Volleyball team pulled off an impressive upset against No. 6 Pepperdine, winning in straight sets 3-0. This victory marked their first win over the Waves since 2024 and ended Pepperdine’s five-game winning streak.
How It Went Down
The match started with both teams trading points. Pepperdine took an early lead at 3-1, but UC Santa Barbara quickly bounced back to lead 9-6. The Waves tied it at 11-11, but then the Gauchos pushed ahead, scoring six out of the next seven points to lead 17-12. Despite a late rally from the Waves to tie it again at 23-23, Ethan Saint secured the win for the Gauchos with back-to-back kills, giving them the first set 25-23.
The second set followed a similar pattern. The Gauchos held the lead for much of the set, but Pepperdine kept fighting back. They tied it at 10-10 and even took a brief lead at 16-13. However, the Gauchos had a strong finish, scoring five consecutive kills to win the set 25-21.
The third set was intense, with the Waves recovering from a 7-3 deficit to tie it at 8-8. Both teams traded points until it was deadlocked at 23-23. Riggs Guy’s kill put the Gauchos at match point, but Pepperdine tied it again at 24-24. George Bruening then hit a critical kill, and an attack error from the Waves clinched the match for Santa Barbara. With this win, the Gauchos handed Pepperdine their first 3-0 loss of the season.
The Gauchos demonstrated their strength by outhitting the Waves, with 17 more kills and a seven-dig advantage. Cole Hartke, the Jan. 25 AVCA Player of the Week, struggled against Santa Barbara’s defense, hitting only .088 and contributing 10 kills.
Cole Schobel had an outstanding game, racking up 33 assists and averaging 11 per set. He also made six kills, two aces, and a solo block. George Bruening shone with 16 kills, hitting .355, while Ethan Saint supported with 12 kills and eight digs.
Looking Ahead
The Gauchos are gearing up for another challenge as they host No. 19 Lincoln Memorial on Friday, February 20, at 7:00 p.m.
This win comes at a key moment in the season, showcasing how teamwork and resilience can overcome tough opponents. Fans are excited, with social media buzzing about the Gauchos’ impressive performance. Discussions about their strategy and player development are trending, emphasizing how crucial this victory is for building momentum as they move forward in the season.
For more details on volleyball statistics and team updates, you can check the UC Santa Barbara athletics website.
