No. 13 BYU hits the road to face No. 6 UC Santa Barbara

PROVO, Utah — No. 13 BYU men’s volleyball hits the road for its second series away from home this season, facing No. 6 UC Santa Barbara in the Robertson Gymnasium on Friday, Feb. 18 and Saturday, Feb. 19.

The teams first faced each other in 1990 and the Cougars lead the all-time series 44-24. The Gauchos and Cougars last faced each other in 2020, when BYU brought home two consecutive wins.

No. 13 Brigham Young University Cougars (5-5, 0-0 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation)

Last weekend, BYU faced UC San Diego. The Cougars held a 44-0 all-time record against the Tritons, with UCSD winning just 13 total sets in those 44 matches. UC San Diego walked away with two tight, 3-2 victories last weekend, going down to the wire both nights.
Senior outside hitter Davide Gardini led the way offensively last Friday, putting down 23 kills. That tied his career-high kill tally that he set back on April 13, 2019 against Stanford. He also had three aces.
Nationally, BYU ranks No. 16 in blocks per set (2.107), No. 18 in team attacks per set (26.26), No. 19 in hitting percentage (.280), No. 21 in assists per set (11.02) and No. 23 in kills per set (11.74).
Gardini ranks No. 15 in the NCAA in attacks per set (7.94), No. 23 in points per set (4.01) and No. 27 in kills per set (3.35).
Out of BYU’s 10 matches this season, head coach Shawn Olmstead has had eight different starting lineups, as the Cougars continue to rebuild after losing five starters from last season.
The Cougars finished the 2021 season with a 20-4 record, its eighth MPSF conference championship title, a trip to the NCAA national championship game and a No. 2 national ranking.

No. 6 University of California, Santa Barbara Gauchos (7-4, 0-0 Big West Conference)

Last weekend, UC Santa Barbara posted victories on the road against Grand Canyon University (3-2, 3-2).
Coming into the 2022 season, the Gauchos received a No. 11 pre-season ranking in the AVCA.
Junior outside hitter Ryan Wilcox was named to the Off the Block Preseason All-America Second Team.
On Monday, sophomore libero Ryan Pecsok was named Off the Block National Libero of the Week as well as the Big West Defensive Player of the Week.
Sophomore middle blocker Donovan Todorov ranks No. 2 in the NCAA in blocks per set (1.389).
Sophomore setter Patrick Paragas ranks No. 11 in the NCAA in assists per set (9.62).
In the NCAA, UCSB ranks No. 11 in blocks per set (2.333), No. 15 in digs per set (8.78), No. 18 in match winning percentage (.636), No. 22 in hitting percentage (.274) and No. 25 in assists per set (10.62).

BROADCAST INFORMATION – Feb. 18

Time: 7 p.m. PST
Live Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: Statbroadcast

BROADCAST INFORMATION – Feb. 19

Time: 7 p.m. PST
Live Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: Statbroadcast

ATTENDANCE INFORMATION

In accordance with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), regarding COVID-19, UC Santa Barbara athletic indoor events will require all spectators in attendance to show proof of their full vaccination status or provide a pre-entry negative COVID-19 test within two days for PCR tests or within one day of antigen tests. Face coverings will be required for all, regardless of vaccination status.