Sunday, August 30
Tucson, Ariz. / McKale Center at ALKEME Arena
12:30 PM
University of Arizona
2-1,0-0Big 12
0
vs
3
UC Santa Barbara
3-0,0-0Big West
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UC Santa Barbara | 25 | 29 | 25 | 3 |
| Arizona | 22 | 27 | 23 | 0 |
Photo by: Kathryn Wristen / Arizona Athletics
Arizona Falls to UCSB in Three Sets
08/30/2026 | Volleyball
TUCSON, Ariz. – The Wildcats lost in three sets (22-25, 27-29, 23-25) to the UCSB Gauchos on the final day of the Wildcat Classic.
Arizona led both defenses with 11 blocks but it was enough to stop UCSB's offense that recorded 53 kills. Renee Jones led the Cats with six blocks and Marina Vosloo followed with five blocks.
UCSB won the first set 25-22. The Gauchos out-hit the Wildcats despite Destiny Ndam-Simpson hitting .600 with three kills for Arizona. The Cats used an early 3-0 run to take the lead but the Gauchos were able to string together runs to hold the lead the rest of the set. Kennedy Osunsanmi tallied three kills but UCSB had three blocks in the set.
The Gauchos took the second set 29-27 to take a 2-0 lead in the match. After 15 tie scores, Arizona wasn't able to hold on and UCSB won the final two points to win the set. Ndam-Simpson totaled six kills and the Arizona defense had four blocks but the Gauchos hit .300 as a team.
Arizona fell in the third set 23-25 to lose the match. The Wildcats had five blocks and Jones was involved in four blocks but UCSB out-hit Arizona and went on a 5-0 run at the end of the set to win the match. Jones also had three kills while Ndam-Simpson and Payton Woods had two kills each.
The Cats will hit the road for a month-long road swing starting at Creighton for the Bluejay Invitational on Friday, September 4 at 4 p.m. MST.
Arizona led both defenses with 11 blocks but it was enough to stop UCSB's offense that recorded 53 kills. Renee Jones led the Cats with six blocks and Marina Vosloo followed with five blocks.
UCSB won the first set 25-22. The Gauchos out-hit the Wildcats despite Destiny Ndam-Simpson hitting .600 with three kills for Arizona. The Cats used an early 3-0 run to take the lead but the Gauchos were able to string together runs to hold the lead the rest of the set. Kennedy Osunsanmi tallied three kills but UCSB had three blocks in the set.
The Gauchos took the second set 29-27 to take a 2-0 lead in the match. After 15 tie scores, Arizona wasn't able to hold on and UCSB won the final two points to win the set. Ndam-Simpson totaled six kills and the Arizona defense had four blocks but the Gauchos hit .300 as a team.
Arizona fell in the third set 23-25 to lose the match. The Wildcats had five blocks and Jones was involved in four blocks but UCSB out-hit Arizona and went on a 5-0 run at the end of the set to win the match. Jones also had three kills while Ndam-Simpson and Payton Woods had two kills each.
The Cats will hit the road for a month-long road swing starting at Creighton for the Bluejay Invitational on Friday, September 4 at 4 p.m. MST.
Players Mentioned
OPP
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
OPP
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
OH
/ VolleyballTeam Stats
UCSB
UA
Kills
53
32
Errors
20
16
Attempts
129
122
Hitting %
.256
.131
Points
63.0
44.0
Assists
50
29
Aces
3
1
Blocks
7
11
Game Leaders
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
6
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Thursday, August 27
Tuesday, August 18
Tuesday, August 18
Tuesday, August 18
