SANTA CRUZ (3-1) – UC Santa Cruz played their final home match of the season as they swept NAIA member Simpson University 3-0 at the West Field House. The Banana Slugs honored senior Kyle Lutz in a post-match ceremony. 

In the first set, the Banana Slugs started the set on a 23-8 run capped by an Aaron Fox kill. The Banana Slugs won the first set 25-9 and took a 1-0 lead in the match. In the second set, the two teams would trade points for the first four serves of the set. From that point, the Banana Slugs would go on a 9-1 run, capped by a service ace, to gain the lead for good at 11-3. The RedHawks would come as close as four, at 23-19, on an attack error by the Banana Slugs. The Banana Slugs would win the second set 25-19 and extended their match lead to 2-0.

In the third set, the RedHawks would open with a 2-1 lead in the set. The Banana Slugs would then go on a 5-1 spurt, capped by a Quinn Barrett kill, to take the lead for good at 6-3. The Banana Slugs would gain their largest lead of the set at nine on two occasions; the second occasion at match point on an Ian Pizzuti kill and won the third set 25-16.

For UC Santa Cruz, Fox had six kills and Tennessee Fulks had fourteen assists for UC Santa Cruz. Maxwell Mednick led the Banana Slugs with a match-high four digs and Phillip Grote had a career-high five service aces. For Simpson, Steven Brasher had a match-high seven kills plus two service aces while Nikos Kalagasidis had sixteen assists for Simpson. 

For the match, UC Santa Cruz had a .339 hitting percentage with the best percentage coming in the first set at .444 while Simpson hit -.032 with the best percentage coming in the second set at .200. The Banana Slugs had sixteen fewer errors (24-8) than did the RedHawks, and had 12 aces to Simpson's four. 

The Banana Slugs will now hit the road for two matches this week in Southern California, starting Thursday as they travel to NCAA Division II member Concordia University of Irvine in an exhibition match. First serve is at set for 7 pm.