Thursday, Sept 21 Match Day!

Updates: Good guys take the first set. More, please.

Came to the match late. According to the color commentator the Slugs only roll the ball over and never hit it. I also get the impression that Tufts is the best team in the country.

UCSC winning due to their defense according to the color commentator. No mention that they are out hitting Tufts 0.276 to 0.140.

Tufts have basically subbed their team.

25-20 UCSC. Up 2-0.

I love when the middle doesn’t get out of the way for the setter and just hits on two or sets it herself. That’s how I played. Setter didn’t like it, he should have been taller. Kelly Ann Greene did both of those things so respect.

Tough serving and a great block from UCSC today.

Sydney Ahrendt hasn’t put it together against a good team this year but she is doing great today. I had her as a preseason All-Region so glad to see it.

19, 20 and 18. It really wasn’t that close as UCSC gets the sweep.

UCSC had 8 aces while Tufts only had 3 but also 7 service errors. They out hit Tufts 0.247 to 0.126. They also had 7 less attacking errors with 7 total blocks and a lot of hands on balls that went over to slow them down. It’s so hard to see on the stream but Tufts, frankly, didn’t look that good although I saw them play well against Trinity in person. Off night maybe but all credit to Santa Cruz for bringing it all three sets. Peyton Tazelaar led the team with 12 kills while Sydney Ahrendt hit 0.412 from the right side.

Random Thoughts: I normally dislike the single matches on what would normally be an off day but gotta love this one. UCSC starts their 4-matches in 3-day trek across Massachusetts. This is a high reward-low risk type of gambit for them and something I have advocated other teams to do. I’m not a fan that three of the matches are on an away court but you’ve got to take what is given some times. The Slugs start with Tufts and it’s going to be a huge sign of where UCSC are right now. I don’t think they win this but if they pull it off they have vaulted right back into the at-large discussion. They get Endicott tomorrow, which will be their easiest match but Endicott is not a push over. On Saturday they get Springfield and MIT at MIT. I believe Tufts, Springfield and MIT will ultimately be regionally ranked and Endicott still has an outside chance depending on how they do in conference play. Best of luck to the Banana Slugs.