BELTON, TX – The UC Santa Cruz women's volleyball team took down Mary Hardin-Baylor in a 3-1 (23-25, 25-19, 25-23, 25-12) road victory. After dropping a close first set, the Banana Slugs rallied to win the following three sets, showcasing their resilience and balanced attack to secure the win in Texas. In their second match of the day, UCSC delivered a commanding 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-13) victory over the University of St. Thomas in Houston. With strong performances across the board, the Banana Slugs took control early and didn't look back, securing the sweep and improving to 14-12 on the season.
 
UCSC 3, UMHB 1
Mary Hardin-Baylor narrowly took the first set, 25-23, despite an eight-kill effort from UCSC. The Slugs responded with a solid second set, tallying 15 kills and three aces to claim a 25-19 win and even the score. UCSC continued to build momentum in the third set, pulling out another close 25-23 win with 15 kills and an impressive five aces. In the fourth set, the Slugs dominated with 14 kills and four aces, rolling to a decisive 25-12 finish to secure the match.
 
Key Performers
Ashley Magley led UCSC's offense with 16 kills, while Kelly Ann Greene added 13 kills and five aces to boost the team's attack. Heidi Collins contributed nine kills, while Margo Melgoza was instrumental in setting up her teammates, finishing with 37 assists. Defensively, Anna Hospodar recorded 15 digs, supported by Kate Lau's 14 digs and Abigail Lee's 11 digs.
 
Team Stats
• Kills: 52
• Assists: 44
• Aces: 14
• Blocks: 6
• Hitting Percentage: .236
 
Game Flow
After a narrow loss in the first set, UCSC regrouped and found their rhythm, winning three straight sets to silence Mary Hardin-Baylor. The team's resilience was evident in their ability to pull through in the tight second and third sets before closing the match with a dominant fourth set.

UCSC 3, St. Thomas 0
In the first set, UCSC came out firing, recording 14 kills and holding off St. Thomas to edge out a 25-23 win. The close finish energized the Slugs, who carried their momentum into the second set, racking up 18 kills and pulling away for a 25-21 victory.
The third set saw UCSC fully dominate. They surged ahead with another 14 kills and completed the sweep with a decisive 25-13 finish. The Banana Slugs showcased their depth and consistency, maintaining pressure on St. Thomas throughout each set.

Key Performers
Kelly Ann Greene led UCSC's offense with 17 kills, followed by Heidi Collins with 11 and Ashley Magley with 9. Setter Margo Melgoza was instrumental in the win, contributing 38 assists and 15 digs. Defensively, Anna Hospodar anchored the back row with 21 digs.

Team Stats
• Kills: 46
• Assists: 42
• Aces: 6
• Blocks: 6
• Hitting Percentage: .161

Game Flow
The Banana Slugs established a strong opening with their first-set win, and their steady attack and defensive discipline carried them through each set without faltering. UCSC's sweeping win displayed their ability to maintain focus and execute consistently under pressure.

With this victory, UCSC is 14-12 on the season. They will face LeTourneau University in their next match at 11:00 a.m. in St. Thomas, Texas.