The No. 8 UC Santa Barbara men's volleyball team (13鈥�9) is gearing up for two crucial matches against No. 3 Long Beach State as they approach the end of the regular season. Riding high on a two-match win streak, the Gauchos topped CSUN last week, showcasing strong performances from players like George Bruening and Guy Riggs. Long Beach State, boasting an 18鈥�4 record, also comes in hot after defeating UC San Diego twice and features standout Skyler Varga. The upcoming matchups will be pivotal as both teams aim to build momentum ahead of the Big West Championships.

By the Numbers
  • UCSB has a season record of 13鈥�9.
  • Long Beach State holds an 18鈥�4 record and has won four consecutive matches.
  • Bruening leads UCSB with 304 total kills, averaging 3.8 kills per set.
  • Varga has 234 total kills this season, averaging 3.16 kills per set.
State of Play
  • UCSB is on a two-match win streak after sweeping CSUN 3鈥�0 and winning 3鈥�1 in a rematch.
  • Long Beach State recently defeated UC San Diego with back-to-back 3鈥�1 wins.
  • The first match against Long Beach is scheduled for Friday, with a rematch on Saturday at UCSB.
What's Next

As both teams prepare for their matchups, players like Bruening and Varga will be crucial in determining the outcomes. The results from these games could significantly impact their seeding heading into the Big West Championships. The Gauchos will look to leverage home court advantage during Saturday's match.

Bottom Line

The upcoming doubleheader against Long Beach State is essential for UCSB as they seek to maintain their momentum and improve their playoff positioning. Expect intense competition and standout performances that could shape the future of both teams this postseason.