Box Score

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. - The No. 7 ranked University of Hawai`i lost in three games tonight at No. 8 UC Santa Barbara, 30-27, 30-28, and 30-25.

Despite hitting .344 collectively as a team, UH could not cool down the hot-hitting Gauchos (2-2, 1-0 MPSF), who posted a .359 hitting percentage.

The Warriors (0-1, 0-1 MPSF) were led individually by outside hitter Lauri Hakala, who had a team-high 15 kills en route to a lofty .458 hitting percentage.

The middle blockers had the most success tonight against UCSB. Junior Dio Dante pounded down seven kills in eight swings and hit .875, while Kyle Klinger hit .700 with seven kills in 10 attempts. The other six players that got in the match managed only 18 kills and hit a combined .167.

Junior setter Brian Beckwith dished out 41 assists, while All-American libero Alfred Reft, a senior, collected 13 digs.

UCSB was led by Evan Patak who had a match-high 18 kills, while teammate Michael Fisher added 17.

It was the first time UH opened on the season on the road since the 1992 season.

The two teams are on the court again Saturday night at 5 p.m. HST. Sportsradio 1420 AM will have the broadcast following the UH men's basketball at New Mexico State.