BEREA, OH – The UC Santa Cruz men's volleyball team capped off the Baldwin Wallace Invitational with a 1-1 record after two fiercely contested matches. The Slugs started the day strong, rallying to defeat MSOE 3-1 (22-25, 25-19, 25-23, 25-22), but came up just short against St. John Fisher in a dramatic five-set showdown, falling 3-2 (19-25, 25-17, 25-20, 20-25, 15-17). UCSC showed resilience and strong individual performances, with standout efforts from
Riley Norman and
Dylan Foreman leading the charge.
UC Santa Cruz 3, MSOE 1
In the morning match, UCSC battled back from an opening set loss to take control and earn a 3-1 victory (22-25, 25-19, 25-23, 25-22) over MSOE. After hitting .321 in the first set but falling short, the Banana Slugs found their rhythm in the second set, limiting errors and increasing defensive intensity.
Riley Norman powered UCSC's attack with 23 kills on a .320 hitting percentage, while
Dylan Foreman added 16 kills on .306 hitting. The duo kept MSOE's defense on its heels, combining for 40% of UCSC's total points. Setter
Caio Valente was instrumental in facilitating the offense, distributing 47 assists and adding 15 digs in an all-around performance.
UCSC's defense also stepped up, with
Nico Espinoza recording 13 digs and
Ethan Makishima contributing three blocks. The Slugs tallied 8 team blocks and hit .224 as a team while holding MSOE to a .145 hitting percentage. UCSC's ability to regroup after the first set and finish strong in tight moments was key to their victory.
UC Santa Cruz 2, St. John Fisher 3
In their afternoon match, UCSC engaged in a five-set marathon against St. John Fisher but ultimately fell short (19-25, 25-17, 25-20, 20-25, 15-17). The match was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading momentum and showcasing high-level play in crucial moments.
After dropping the first set, UCSC stormed back in the second and third sets with efficient offense and sharp defense. Norman continued his stellar day with 20 kills and 17 digs, while Foreman contributed 16 and 14 digs. Valente was once again pivotal, tallying 48 assists and balancing the offense.
The fourth set saw St. John Fisher rally to force a decisive fifth set. The Slugs fought hard, pushing the final set into extra points, but St. John Fisher managed to close it out 17-15 in a thrilling finish. UCSC hit .190 as a team, with strong performances from
Ethan Makishima (8 kills, .350 hitting) and
David Polster (7 kills, 11 digs).
Key Performances
Match Insights
The Banana Slugs demonstrated their versatility throughout the day, with multiple players stepping up in critical moments. The team's comeback against MSOE highlighted their ability to make mid-match adjustments and execute in tight sets. Against St. John Fisher, UCSC's resilience was on full display. The team battled through long rallies and high-pressure situations to push one of the top teams to the brink.
With their record now at 7-5, the Slugs will aim to carry this momentum into their next match at Lakeland University on Friday, February 7th.
