SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — A Commodore comeback was cut short Friday night at the Thunderdome as Vanderbilt volleyball fell 3-1 (25-17, 25-16, 20-25, 25-21) to RV UC Santa Barbara.
Setter Isabella Bareford registered a double-double for the second straight contest, recording 36 assists and 11 digs. Hailee Mack extended her double-digit dig streak to seven matches with 15. Vanderbilt (2-5) was paced offensively by Kamryn Chaney and Jackie Moore who each produced 13 kills. Chaney was one dig shy of a double-double, recording nine vs. the Gauchos (5-2). Kayla Dunlap recorded 10 kills, her second straight match in double figures. She posted a hitting percentage of .450 and a .500 kill percentage, registering season-highs in both categories.
Santa Barbara stifled Vandy’s attacking efforts, tallying 17 team blocks and holding the Dores to the .168 hitting percentage. Kiersten Schmitt and Kate Martin both posted six blocks. Four Gauchos hit above .400 on at least 10 attempts, highlighted by Layanna Green who tallied nine kills and hit at a .500 clip.
The Gauchos took the first two sets by scores of 25-17 and 25-16, hitting .321 as a team.
The third set looked to be trending the same way as the Dores were down 13-9, but a 10-2 run gave Vanderbilt a 19-15 advantage. The Commodores used their lead to take the set 25-20 and force a fourth.
Vandy looked to capitalize off its momentum in the fourth set, keeping the score tight throughout, but the Gauchos held off the Dores’ comeback attempt, winning the set, 25-21, and the match 3-1.
The Commodores’ road swing continues Tuesday when they take on Western Kentucky at 6 p.m.
