Nineteenth-ranked UC Santa Cruz men's volleyball lost 3-1 (17-25, 21-25, 27-25, 17-25) to sixth-ranked Cal Lutheran at the UC Santa Cruz Slug Slam.
 
The first set started with the Kingsmen getting the first point before Riley Norman tied the set with a hard kill (1-1). After many back-and-forth rallies, the Banana Slugs were recovering from a deficit after kills from Dylan Foreman, Kyle Ownbey, and a service ace by Leo Tuncer (15-11). Despite this, the Kingsmen were able to win this set 17-25.
 
After the second set started with the Kingsmen getting a 2-0 lead, an amazing kill by Tuncer and Kingsmen attack errors helped the Banana Slugs take the lead (8-7). The Banana Slugs stayed with the Kingsmen with kills from Norman, setter Andrew Pak, Noy Fisher, and Tuncer, but the Kingsmen were able to win this set 25-21.
 
The third set was intense with 12 tied scores. The Kingsmen were in the lead until after a service ace by Fisher, there was a fast-paced rally that Tuncer finished with a kill, helping the Banana Slugs gain the lead 12-11. The Kingsmen were able to gain match point until a tip-in from Norman tied the set (24-24). A double block by Tuncer and Ownbey made the score 26-25 before a Kingsman attack error gave the Banana Slugs their first set with the score being 27-25.
 
The Kingsmen started the fourth set with a 4-0 lead. A service error helped the Banana Slugs get the momentum going, with kills from Nico Espinoza, Tuncer, and Pak getting them within two (5-7). Norman made a fabulous kill that started a run of Fisher aces to get the Banana Slugs within one (12-13). The Kingsmen pulled ahead by six, but there was a great play by Ownbey, who saved the ball with their foot and went over the net to win the Banana Slugs the point (17-22). It was a great set for the Banana Slugs, but the Kingsmen were able to hold off the rally and win the set 17-25.
 
Norman had a team-high of 19 kills on 41 total attacks. Tuncer had 10 kills on 31 total attacks, seven digs, five assists, and one ace. Pak had 31 assists and three kills. Fisher had five aces and two kills.
 
The Banana Slugs finish the Slug Slam against old rivals Carthage College on Sunday, January 21st at 10:00 AM at the West Field House.