THOUSAND OAKS (2-1) UC Santa Cruz competed in two matches in Thousand Oaks this Saturday. The Slugs started strong in the first match against Augustana College (IL) (6-3), winning the first set, but lost the next four (25-12, 20-25, 18-25, 22-25). After a rough first match, UC Santa Cruz bounced back in their second game of the day against No. 5 Carthage College (4-1) in an NCAA Tournament rematch. The Slugs took the first two sets, and were close to sweeping their opponents. However, the Red Men took the third set, and eventually the match in five (25-17, 25-23, 26-28, 15-25, 12-15). 

In their first match of the day, UC Santa Cruz easily defeated Augustana University (IL) in their first set. The Slugs went on an 8-0 run at 14-11, giving them a 22-11 point advanatage. The set win was secured on a kill by Zachary Thompson, assisted by Sam Wittert (25-12). However, the Vikings were not ready to be conquered. They came back to win the next three sets over the Banana Slugs. UC Santa Cruz continued to play hard, but had a difficult time finishing each set. Augustana hit .483 and .423 in the third and fourth sets, in comparison to UCSC hitting .172 and .214. Maxwell Mednick had 10 kills in the match, and Wittert contributed 36 assists. 

After a challenging first match, the Slugs were eager to get back on their feet in the second match of the day against Carthage. Off to a strong start, the Slugs  hit .385 in the first set to win 25-17, and .276 in the second set, for a 2-0 set lead. Both teams came to win in the third set, as there were 13 ties, and UCSC hit .378 while Carthage was hitting .444. The Slugs and Red Men were tied 24-24, before Carthage took the next point, 24-25. UC Santa Cruz tied, however, with a kill by Zachary Thompson, assisted by Wittert. But it wasn't enough for the Slugs, who fell to Carthage 26-28. Carthage defeated the Slugs in the fourth to push the match to a fifth and final set, and finalized their victory with a 7-3 run to take the set 12-15.

UC Santa Cruz will travel to western New York next weekend, with a 7-8 record. The Slugs play on Saturday and Sunday against Medaille, St. John Fisher, D'Youville, and Nazareth. Stay tuned at GoSlugs.com for more in-game statistics and information!