SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — A night after earning a sweep at Cal Poly, the University of Hawai'i women's volleyball team found itself on the other end of the equation in a loss at UC Santa Barbara on Saturday at The Thunderdome in Santa Barbara, Calif.
 
UC Santa Barbara hit .336 and the Rainbow Wahine (11-7, 5-3 Big West) were swept for the first time this season in the 25-18, 25-19, 25-22 loss to the host Gauchos (8-12, 4-4).
 
UH outside hitter Caylen Alexander posted a match-high 20 kills in her ninth match this season with at least 20. Middle blocker Jacyn Bamis added nine kills while hitting .438 and setter Kate Lang recorded her 10^th double-double of the season and 45^th of her career with 38 assists and 10 digs.
 
Libero Tayli Ikenaga finished with nine digs, passing Teee Williams (1,143, 1987-89) to move into ninth in program history with 1,151 for her career.
 
Three UC Santa Barbara players posted double-digit kills with Eva Travis, Sophie Reavis and Emma McDermott putting away 10 each and the Gauchos controlled most of the key statistical categories. Along with out-hitting .336 to .205, UCSB finished with 8.5 blocks to UH's one and served up five aces while UH did not record an ace for the first time this season.
 
UCSB didn't allow the 'Bows to string together many runs throughout the match with a 70.5% sideout percentage on UH serves.
 
There were three lead changes in the first 11 points of the match before UCSB put together a four-point run to move ahead for good in the opening set.  The Gauchos stretched the lead to 17-11 and led by at least five the rest of the way while holding UH to .108 hitting in the set.
 
The second set was tied at 9-9, with Alexander contributing five kills for UH, when UCSB went on a 9-3 surge capped by Grace McIntosh's ace. The margin grew to eight at 22-14 and the Gauchos weathered a late UH run to finish off the set.
 
There were nine ties in the third set, the last coming at 16-16 when UCSB went on a 4-0 run. UH got within two on four occasions, but the Gauchos closed out the match with their final block of the night.
 
UH will remain in California and conclude the trip on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at CSU Bakersfield (9-11, 3-5) in Bakersfield, Calif.