MVLB–Cougars Round Up the Gauchos

With a huge sense of vengeance from last year, the Cougars took out UC Santa Barbara in four sets. Last year, BYU ended their season on their home court to the Gauchos in the semifinals. Last night, they gave it back to them. Senior opposite, Robb Stowell (#13) lead the team in kills, putting down 17 balls for points, while also contributing 7 blocks for the defense. On the outside was our puertorriqueño, Josue Rivera (#6) with 11 kills, and Futi Tavana (#17) in the middle with a total of 9 kills. On Futi's opposite was Russ Lavaja (#5) rejecting the Gauchos hits 11 times for points. Even senior setter, Joe Kauliakamoa (#8) got his career high of kills, putting down 6 balls, while putting up 47 assists. Leading the back row defense was freshman libero, Jaylen Reyes (#12) with nine digs.

The Cougars piloted the game in the beginning and most of the end, but a six point streak would put the Gauchos tied with BYU at 18. With serve after serve being missed, the Cougars were downed by two points in the first set, and lost 28-30.

Upset with countless service errors at the most critical point in the first set, the Cougars fought back to redeem themselves. With Stowell on the right side and Phil Fuchs (#7) on the left, the Cougars ran down the second set, 25-17.

With momentum coming from the second set, especially from an eight point gap for a victory, the Cougars were all over the Gauchos hitters and especially on their defense. Fuchs, Kauliakamoa, and Futi all rallied up blocks for their team, including a solo block from Joe K. Third set was an easy victory, final score being 25-16.

With one more set from victory, the Cougars were ready to take full revenge from their last match. However, the Gauchos weren't ready to go down without a real fight just yet. The Cougars started off the match with a huge point streak and a lead, but after a timeout from the Gauchos, UC Santa Barbara handed them an even bigger point streak, giving them a one point advantage at 17-18. Taking matters in his own hands, setter Joe Kauliakamoa put down two straight balls to control the fourth set which started a five point stretch against the Gauchos, which was controlled by Russ Lavaja. Stowell had a huge swing at the end of the match, calling it a night for the Cougars.