SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara Men’s Volleyball team celebrated a solid start to the season, defeating Harvard 3-1 in the final round of the 61st ASICS Invitational. With victories over Kentucky State and Maryville earlier in the tournament, the Gauchos kicked off 2026 undefeated.
Match Recap
The match began with Harvard taking the first set 25-22. The Gauchos struggled, hitting only 0.074, which allowed Harvard to maintain an early lead.
In the second set, things shifted. The Gauchos surged ahead, winning 25-18. Both teams stayed close until Santa Barbara pulled ahead with a six-point run, sealing the set.
The third set showcased the Gauchos’ strengths, winning decisively at 25-14. They jumped to an early lead and kept Harvard at bay. Senior Owen Loncar closed the set with a powerful service ace.
In the final set, the Gauchos continued their momentum, claiming victory with a score of 25-19. They started strong and expanded their lead as the set went on.
After the rough start, Santa Barbara improved its hitting percentage, finishing at 57% for the last three sets. The team recorded 42 digs and made ten aces throughout the match.
Senior George Bruening led the charge with an impressive 26 kills, hitting .455. He even matched his career record, scoring ten kills in the fourth set alone. Ben Pearson added nine kills, while Riggs Guy contributed eight kills and six assists.
Cole Schobel played a crucial role with 42 assists, five kills, and a block. He topped the match in service aces with four and tied for the highest digs at nine. Joe Wallace followed close behind with seven digs, while freshman Dylan Pilkvist led in block assists with five.
According to recent data from the NCAA, hitting percentages like Santa Barbara’s can heavily influence match outcomes. Teams that hit above 50% generally have a significantly better chance of winning. This match exemplified that principle, as the Gauchos found their rhythm after a shaky start.
With this win, the Gauchos are set to play their next match against The Master’s University on Friday, Jan. 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the Thunderdome.
