Cal Poly Sweeps UC Santa Barbara in Volleyball

The Mustangs secured a three-set victory over the Gauchos in front of over 950 spectators at UC Santa Barbara.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Volleyball

Cal Poly Sweeps UC Santa Barbara in Volleyball

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Cal Poly defeated UC Santa Barbara in straight sets, finishing 25-19, 25-13, and 25-17. The match was marked by a dominant second-set scoring run and a late-game injury incident involving two Gaucho players.

Why it matters

The result reinforces Cal Poly's undefeated position within the Big West conference, maintaining their lead in the league standings. For UC Santa Barbara, the loss complicates their season trajectory as they manage both a mid-table conference standing and personnel availability.

Cal Poly maintained a .308 hitting percentage during the match compared to just .121 for UC Santa Barbara. The Mustangs also stifled the Gaucho offense while Gabi Martinez contributed 10 kills and Milan Rex recorded 20 assists in the effort.

The players

Cal Poly

The Cal Poly Mustangs are an intercollegiate athletic program that competes in the Big West Conference.

UC Santa Barbara

The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos represent the University of California, Santa Barbara in collegiate volleyball.

Sophia Wendlick

Sophia Wendlick is a volleyball player for the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos.

Gabi Martinez

Gabi Martinez is an offensive contributor for the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos volleyball team.

Alexis Haury

Alexis Haury is a key player for Cal Poly who directed a critical 10-0 scoring run.

The details

Cal Poly capitalized on momentum during the second set with a 10-0 scoring run led by Alexis Haury. In the third set, play was disrupted while the score stood at 12-16 due to an on-court collision that left UC Santa Barbara's Sophia Wendlick and Gabi Martinez injured.

October 16, 2026: UC Santa Barbara defeated California Baptist 3-2.
October 22, 2026: Cal Poly defeated UC Santa Barbara in three sets.

Season Trajectory

This match shifts the conference landscape as Cal Poly remains undefeated in league play at 9-0 while the Gauchos drop to 6-3. The result significantly alters the playoff positioning for UC Santa Barbara as they attempt to hold their ground in a competitive Big West bracket.

The Gauchos fall to a 10-10 overall season record, raising questions about their starting rotation health following the collision. Fans should monitor roster updates regarding the availability of Gabi Martinez and Sophia Wendlick for upcoming matches.

The takeaway

Cal Poly's clinical hitting efficiency highlights the gap currently separating the conference leaders from the rest of the pack. Maintaining roster depth will be the primary challenge for the Gauchos as they look to recover from both the loss and recent on-court injuries.