Thunderdome Classic
Scores: UC Santa Barbara 3, VCU 1 (19-25, 25-16, 25-12, 25-20)
Location: Santa Barbara, Calif. (The Thunderdome)
Records: VCU 4-7, UCSB 4-7
 
The short story: VCU sophomore Jasmine Knight provided a big night, and VCU stung UC Santa Barbara early, but the Gauchos held firm on the way to a 3-1 win Friday night in Santa Barbara.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Knight starred for the Rams Friday. The All-Atlantic 10 Conference selection blasted 10 kills and provided a season-high seven blocks for the Rams
• Freshman outside hitter Kialah Jefferson also added 10 kills, while hitting .333 in 21 swings for VCU
• Junior middle blocker Sabria Cooper added eight kills, while hitting .571 with three blocks for the Black and Gold
• Tallulah Froley led the Gauchos with 14 kills

THE DIFFERENCE

• The Rams were unable to slow the high-powered USCB attack. The Gauchos hit .306 in the match, including .600 in the third set alone
• UCSB also owned big advantages in digs (51-37) and service aces (10-4)
• A 5-0 UCSB run in the fourth set proved crucial. The blitz provided the Gauchos with a 14-12 lead. The Rams tied the match at 17-all, but watched as UCSB closed the match on an 8-3 burst on the strength of two kills each from Sophie Messinger and Rowan Ellis

NEXT UP
VCU will wrap up play in the Thunderdome Classic when it takes on Washington State on Saturday, Sept. 18 at 2 p.m. (EST)