BUENA VISTA, VA. - UC Santa Cruz finished its weekend in Virginia with two tough losses. In the early game they were swept by No. 5 Marymount (20-25 23-25 23-25), then drove an hour south and dropping a 5-set match to Southern Virginia (22-25 25-13 23-25 25-17 20-22).

The Banana Slugs are now 19-6 on the season.

UCSC hit .220 in the first match but the Saints hit .275. Marymount scored the last three points to close out game 2 and withstood eight ties before prevailing in the third.

Ryan Manley led UCSC with 14 kills and a solo block. The Saints had a 3-0 advantage in service aces.

Against Southern Virginia, the Slugs rallied by taking the even-numbered sets in resounding fashion after dropping the odd-numbered sets. In the decisive fifth set, SVU took a quick 3-0 lead on three consecutive attack errors by the Slugs. With UCSC trailing 13-8 however, the Slugs rallied with 6 straight points to set up match point. SVU pulled out a block by Colby Wilson and Paul Clark to tie it up at 14 and force extra extra volleyball. Te teams tied the next six points until clark and Wilson came to the rescue again with consecutive kills to hand SVU the win.

Lake Merchen had 17 kills and 3 aces to lead UCSC and add to his school career records in both categories. Manley had 13 kills. Max Garris had a career-high 19 digs.

UCSC takes a short break before another East Coast trip when they pay their Alumni next Saturday at the West Field House.