Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
THOUSAND OAKS (9-17) - UC Santa Cruz finished up their trip to Southern California as they took on Whittier College and Pomona-Pitzer. In the early match of the day, the Poets defeated the Banana Slugs 3-1 (25-19, 19-25, 21-25, 23-25) but UC Santa Cruz rallied and won the nightcap 3-1 (25-21, 25-22, 21-25, 25-19)
 
UC Santa Cruz now stands at 10-4 on the season.
 
In the opening match, the Banana Slugs gained an early 13-7 lead in the first set and would win the first set 25-19. In the second set, the Banana Slugs started on an 8-5 spurt, capped by an attack error by the Poets. From that point, the Poets would go on an 8-0 run to take command. The Poets won the second set 25-19. The third set was a back-and-forth encounter with neither team gaining a lead larger than three until late in the set. The Poets would win the third set 25-21. In the fourth set, the Banana Slugs started on a 10-1 run, capped by a Drew Bryant kill. The Poets would then answer with a 15-4 run to take the lead at 16-14. The Banana Slugs would subsequently score the next three points to take a 17-16 lead. The two teams would trade points back and forth until the Poets took the lead for good at 23-22. The Poets won the fourth set 25-23 and the match 3-1.
 
Sydney Ahrendt led UC Santa Cruz with a double-double - 13 kills and  a career-high 16 digs, Bryant added 12 kills and Ashley Magley had seven. Sinead Beaupain finished with 21 assists and Emily Pasion had 22 digs.
 
In the evening match against the Sagehens, the Banana Slugs started the first on a 12-8 run capped by a Magley kill. The Sagehens tied the set using a 7-3 run of their own. The Banana Slugs then caught fire, scoring ten of the final sixteen points to win the first set 25-21. In the second set, the Banana Slugs started the set on a 15-9 run capped by a Magley kill and won the second set 25-22. In the third set, the Sagehens would start the set on a 16-9 run, capped by a Chloe Gill kill, and won the third set 25-21. In the fourth set, the Banana Slugs started the set on a 19-12 capped by a Bryant kill and won the fourth set 25-19 and the match 3-1.
 
Samantha Taylor had a match-high 15 kills and contributed 12 digs. Magley added 12 kills. Pasion had 20 digs.
 
The Banana Slugs return home next Saturday for an exhibition at the West Field House against West Valley College. First serve is set for 7 pm.