MEDFORD, MA-- Playing the program's first-ever match in Massachusetts, UC Santa Cruz opened their road trip with a 3-0 sweep on 22nd-ranked Tufts.
 
The Banana Slugs (11-5) hit .247 overall to win their third consecutive match 25-19, 25-20, 25-18.
 
The first set had the host Jumbos up early, leading by as much as seven at 13-7. The Banana Slugs rallied, and Olly Gordon and Peyton Tazelaar had a block put the visitors within 14-13 and forced Tufts to take a time out. Tufts got the lead back to 17-13 but UC Santa Cruz answered with a 9-0 run to take the lead 22-17 and ended the set on Kelly Ann Greene's kill and Audrey Gilbert's ace.
 
The second set had four ties before the Banana Slugs found their focus. They took the lead for good at 5-4. Tufts were back within one at 16-15 before UC Santa Cruz finished the set on a 9-5 run to take a 2-0 lead. The third set was UC Santa Cruz's finest. They broke away from the close game when kills by Tazelaar, Kate Lau and Greene made it 11-7 Banana Slugs and forced Tufts to take a timeout. The Banana Slugs cruised the rest of the way to hold off the Jumbos and win the match.
 
Tazelaar led the Banana Slug offense with 12 kills while Sydney Ahrendt had eight. Emily Pasion had a team-high 19 digs and two of the Banana Slugs' eight aces.
 
UC Santa Cruz continues the road trip Friday afternoon when they visit another 2022 NCAA Tournament team in Endicott.