No. 4 seed UC San Diego Outlasts UCSB in Five-Set Thriller to Advance to Semifinal Round

Championship Central | Box score | UCSD presser | UCSB presser 

HONOLULU – In a riveting curtain-raiser to open The Hawaiian Islands presents the 2025 Outrigger Big West Men’s Volleyball Championship, the No. 4 seed UC San Diego Tritons survived a fierce test from No. 5 seed UC Santa Barbara, emerging with a thrilling five-set victory at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Set scores were 20–25, 27–25, 25–22, 23–25, 15–13 in the hotly-contested match. 

The match had everything a championship opener could hope for — lead changes, standout performances, and edge-of-your-seat intensity. It was a showcase of the depth and competitiveness across The Big West.  

UC San Diego (18-11) now turns its attention to the challenge of a semifinal matchup with national No. 1 and top seed Long Beach State on Friday at 7:30 p.m. PT / 4:30 p.m. HT. The Tritons just met the Beach less than a week ago, a pair of three-setters in favor of LBSU. 

UC Santa Barbara (12-16) came out firing, gaining momentum early on with a service ace and a series of successful kills, with Ben Coordt and Geste Bianchi contributing significantly to the offense with four kills apiece in the first frame. Despite a late push by UCSD that saw a 7-2 run knot the score at 19 apiece, the Gauchos were able to take the early match lead. 

In the second, the Tritons responded with urgency, evening the score after a 27–25 extra-point win in the second, and used that spark to gain the upper hand in the third, 25–22. But the Gauchos refused to back down to knot the score after a 25-23 win in the fourth.  

With the match tied 2–2 and a semifinal berth on the line, the fifth set was a showcase of resilience and nerve. Both teams traded points, but the Tritons found just enough in the tank to edge ahead late and seal it 15–13 to clinch their place in Friday’s semifinals. 

UC San Diego’s winning edge came every player in the adjusted lineup. Junior outside hitter Josh Schellinger delivered under pressure, posting 22 kills and 12 digs, while middle blocker Peter Selcho hit .647 with 11 kills and eight blocks. All-Big West setter Bryce Dvorak ran the offense with a deft touch, tallying 56 assists, while libero Keegan Cook steadied the back row with 14 digs in the victorious effort. 

For the Gauchos, redshirt senior opposite hitter Bianchi was a standout, delivering a well-rounded performance with 24 kills, five blocks, and an ace to lead the team. Coordt added firepower with 19 kills and eight digs, while Jack Walmer dished out 55 assists, orchestrating the offense. Defensively, Max Gordon turned in a strong effort with a game-high 17 digs in the season finale.